Chapter 8
The digital clock on the boardroom wall ticked over to 10:45 p.m.
as the final confirmation codes for the corporate restructuring cleared through the international financial registries.
Arthur stepped up beside me,
handing me a fresh,
dry change of clothes that had been rushed to the office from a luxury boutique downtown.
"Cassidy,
you need to change out of that wet dress,"
he said,
his tone shifting from professional advisor to a concerned,
protective friend.
"The medical team I requested is waiting in your private office suite to perform a full checkup on you and the baby."
"Thank you,
Arthur,"
I said,
feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion wash over me as the adrenaline began to fade.
"I will change and see the doctors now,
keep me updated on the forensic audit and any communication from Brendan's legal representatives."
I walked into my private executive office,
a beautiful room filled with soft lighting,
a plush velvet sofa,
and a large window overlooking the quiet harbor below.
Two top-tier obstetricians from the city's premier private hospital were waiting for me,
their expressions filled with deep professional concern as they immediately set up their portable ultrasound equipment.
"Chairwoman,
please lie down so we can assess the fetal heart rate and check for any signs of uterine stress,"
the lead physician said,
helping me settle onto the comfortable sofa.
After I had changed into a warm,
soft silk jumpsuit,
the doctor applied the cool gel to my stomach and moved the transducer across my skin.
For a few long,
agonizing seconds,
the room was quiet,
save for the hum of the machine,
and my heart hammered against my ribs in a sudden panic.
Then,
the rhythmic,
powerful sound of a steady heartbeat filled the quiet room,
sounding like a drumbeat of pure resilience.
"The heartbeat is perfectly strong,
one hundred and forty-five beats per minute,"
the doctor announced with a warm,
reassuring smile.
"The amniotic fluid levels are stable,
and your son appears to be completely unaffected by the sudden drop in temperature."
I let out a long,
shaky breath,
a few tears of pure relief finally escaping my eyes as I stared at the grainy gray image of my little boy on the monitor screen.
"He is a fighter,"
I whispered,
reaching down to touch the screen gently.
"He knew his mother needed him to be strong tonight."
"You need to rest,
Chairwoman,"
the physician advised,
wiping the gel from my stomach and packing away her instruments.
"The emotional and physical shock you experienced tonight can cause delayed complications if you do not allow your body to recuperate."
"I will rest soon,
Doctor,"
I promised,
sitting up and adjusting the silk fabric of my outfit.
"But my work tonight is not quite finished yet."
Just as the medical team was exiting the office,
Arthur walked back in,
his phone held in his hand with a strange,
almost amused expression on his face.
"Cassidy,"
he said,
closing the heavy oak door behind him.
"Brendan is downstairs in the main lobby."
"He managed to convince a security guard who didn't get the termination memo in time to let him into the public reception area."
"He is frantic,
he is demanding to see you,
and he has brought his family's personal attorney with him."
I looked out the window at the city lights,
feeling a cold,
hard resolve settle deep within my chest.
"Did he think he could just walk into my building and negotiate after what his mother did?"
I asked,
turning back to Arthur.
"Bring him up,
Arthur,
but leave his attorney in the lobby."
"I want Brendan to face me alone,
May you like
without any legal shields to hide behind."
"And make sure the security cameras in my office are recording every single word that comes out of his mouth."
