He was nothing like those other so-called directors Leonard had met before – men with titles but no authority. This one was entirely different. Even his presence carried a different weight. With just a few sharp words, he’d shut everyone up. Leonard genuinely hadn’t expected that. But whatever the case, it worked. These people clearly feared the director’s authority, far more effective than any of those unreliable types they’d dealt with before.

Megan and Leonard stood amid the crowd, silently watching the director speak. They didn’t really know why they hadn’t left yet.

It could be because they were curious, wondering what exactly had caused this uproar and why so many people were being forced out. After all, this wasn’t something that happened every day. Naturally, they were intrigued. Megan stayed rooted in place, not planning to move. Leonard had been about to tug her away, but seeing her like this, he just chuckled and shook his head. Forget it. After everything they’d just gone through, maybe this was her way of unwinding a bit. She’d been thrown into all this chaos without even understanding half of it, and truth be told, that didn’t sit right with Leonard either. Now that she seemed a little more relaxed, he figured he’d let her be.

On the other side of the crowd, some people had indeed left quietly after hearing the director speak. But most weren’t willing to budge. In their eyes, they had paid good money and come here for treatment. Why should they be thrown out by these money-hungry elites? This hospital wasn’t some private estate owned by the rich – it was funded by the country. One person shouldn’t have the final say.

With that thought, someone finally spoke up.

“Mr. Winter, what’s that supposed to mean? We paid to be treated here. It’s not like we did anything outrageous, so why are we being kicked out?” A man stepped forward and called out. Up until now, most people had just been stewing in silence, but no one had dared say a word. Now that someone had spoken up, the discontent brewing beneath the surface started to explode.

Everyone’s dissatisfaction seemed to swell all at once. Some even began to act out, looking like they were about to trash the hospital’s front desk. But despite his short stature, the moment the director stepped forward, no one dared make a move. He let out a quiet chuckle. “So, you all think you’re in the right, is that it?”

The crowd looked around at each other, unsure what he meant.

“Of course we’re right! We came here for treatment!”

“Yeah, it’s not like we didn’t pay. Why are we being kicked out?”

“Exactly! If something happens to us after you throw us out, who’s going to take responsibility?”

One voice after another rose in protest. If they had rotten vegetables in hand, the director would’ve been pelted by now. And the director was well aware of that. But he remained calm. Instead, he ordered someone to display something on the large screen in the lobby. “Make sure the footage is crystal clear.” His voice rang out firm and commanding, as if worried these thick-headed people wouldn’t understand otherwise. Even now, they were clinging to the idea that they’d done nothing wrong. He didn’t know how they managed to say that with a straight face. If they’d just slipped away like the first few had, none of this would be happening.

Because of the commotion downstairs, Tessa and Julian came over to check things out as well.