RedNovelRegret 78 Charlotte had just settled back into her office chair when a man appeared at the door, hands clasped behind his back. "Are you Dr. Sterling?" he asked.
"Yes, that's me." Charlotte stood up and offered a polite smile. “Are you a family member of one of our inpatients, or-" She didn't get to finish. Without warning, the man hurled a liquid at her.
Caught completely off guard, Charlotte gasped in shock, unable to dodge. The commotion drew people from the hallway.
"Dr. Sterling!" Vera rushed to the office as soon as she heard the cry, arriving just in tto see the man stumble out and run straight into her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtVera grabbed his arm and shouted, "Someone, help! Call security!" The man twisted violently, face twisted with rage. "Letgo, or I swear I'll kill you!" Two doctors and a couple of nurses csprinting down the corridor, already lialing for security.
Vithin moments, guards had tackled the man to the ground. One of the doctors alled the police.
side the office, Charlotte had collapsed onto the floor. Her eyes burned fiercely, treaming with tears; she couldn't open them. The air was thick with a sharp, acrid mell-it was pepper spray.
ews of the attack reached Dean Chase quickly. By the the rushed to harlotte's room, she'd already been treated by ophthalmology, but her eyes were ill clenched shut, unable to bear the light.
era, who'd been keeping a watchful vigil by her side, stood up as the dean entered. Dean." ottie, what happened?" he asked, concern furrowing his brow.
harlotte gripped the edge of the blanket. "I don't know. I've never seen that man efore." era filled in the rest. "We've already checked the security footage, Dean. He's not lated to any of our patients- just someone from outside. Thank goodness it was 10:52 only pepper spray. If it had been something worse, Dr. Sterling could have been blinded... or worse." The memory sent a shudder through Charlotte. Vera was right-if it hadn't been pepper spray, but smore dangerous chemical, she might have been left disfigured, or lost her sight entirely.
Dean Chase's expression darkened with sympathy and worry.
And yet, this attack didn't feel random. Ever since Tricia's abrupt arrival and the exposure of Director Fontaine, trouble seemed to be stalking Charlotte. This was no accident. Someone was behind it.
He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Lottie, I want you to take stoff and rest. Don't worry about anything here. The hospital has already contacted the police-we won't let this man get away with it." Her voice was hoarse. "Alright." still refused to After Dean Chase left, Charlotte was left in darkness-her eyes open. Anxiety pressed in on her, heavy and suffocating. Vera noticed. "Dr. Sterling, do you wantto call your family?" Family...
The only one who cto mind was her younger brother, Hiram. But knowing him, if he found out what had happened, he'd probably lose his mind.
After a moment's thought, she said, "Can you get my phone, look up Lana in my contacts, and give her a call?" Right now, Lana was the only one she could trust.
Meanwhile- Tricia was meeting with Mrs. Fontaine, transferring the promised money in person.
Mrs. Fontaine's face lit up as the funds landed in her account, but om worry flickered in her eyes as she remembered her husband, still being held at the station. "Miss Winthrop, about my husband-?"
"He should consider himself lucky he's not in prison," Tricia repliedm without hesitation! "Don't worry, it's only a month in holding. I'll make sure he keeps his job." Mrs. Fontaine believed her without a second thought, and rose to leave-only to be stopped at the door.
She turned, puzzled. “Is there something else, Miss Winthrop?" "Today's events have nothing to do with us. I trust you'll remember that-what should and shouldn't be said, I expect you know."
Mrs. Fontaine grinned, swearing, "Of course, you can count on me. That fool's not right in the head. Even if the police investigate, who's going to believe a word from someone like that?" Hearing this, Tricia finally relaxed.
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