“Good thing we ran fast. If the director had caught up with us, we’d be screwed right now.”

“Yeah, I heard he’s a real snake in the grass—smiles on the outside, but tough as nails underneath.”

At that, everyone shuddered instinctively, unsure how to respond.

“Do you think we’ll get into trouble for this later?” someone asked nervously.

Another chimed in, trying to reassure them, “Probably not. That guy must just be friends with the director. If what we did was something serious, we wouldn’t still be standing around chatting like this.”

The logic seemed sound enough, and a few others nodded along.

After all, nothing had happened yet. It must’ve all been for show.

What they didn’t know was that the real trouble hadn’t even started.

Just as they began to relax, phones started ringing one after another.

Family members were calling.

A wave of unease passed through the group as they glanced at one another, suddenly unsure.

No one wanted to be the first to answer.

It wasn’t until someone finally muttered a tentative “Hello?” that the rest followed suit.

And then, one by one, their expressions darkened.

Tension gripped their features, eyes wide, brows furrowed.

“You’re serious?”

“Okay, okay, don’t panic—I’m on my way.”

“What? Don’t let them near Mom! I’m coming now!”

The calls came in waves, each worse than the last.

One thing became clear—something had gone wrong at home.

When the calls ended, not a single face in the group looked calm.

Each of them stood frozen, worry etched deep into their expressions.

Some were already on the verge of tears, completely lost about what to do next.

“I don’t know what to do,” someone said in a panic.

“The hospital told my mom to move out immediately. They said there’s nothing more they can do, and we should leave at once.”

“Same here. But how are we supposed to transfer her now, at a time like this?”

“Do you think… maybe we crossed someone we really shouldn’t have?” another asked, the realization dawning a little too late.

At that, the room fell silent.

No one had thought much of it at first, but that comment brought back the image of the director’s deference toward Lucas.

Something didn’t add up.

After all, the hospital director was a well-known figure in Millford. Anyone capable of founding such a medical institution had to be someone powerful.

How could a man like that be so easily subdued?

It only meant one thing—the man he bowed to held even greater power.

That thought made everyone’s heads spin.

They rushed back to their relatives’ rooms, scrambling to calm them down.

They pleaded with the nurses, trying to explain and beg, but nothing worked. The staff only repeated one thing—they’d offended someone untouchable.

And they had no choice but to follow orders.

Honestly, the nurses didn’t even feel bad. These people had brought it on themselves.

Sure, it was unfortunate the patients had to suffer along with them, but this was a case of cause and effect.

They picked the wrong person to provoke.

And when they understood the full story, it was clear that no one could blame that powerful man for what came next. Big players always had their reasons.