Chapter 94: She Asked for It
Owen hadn't expected to walk into the middle of Elsie being attacked. Elsie clung to his arm, refusing to move. “Owen, don’t go up against Yunice anymore. She’s got Wyatt backing her now. I’m scared they’ll come after you…”
Owen froze, embarrassment flashing across his face. Elsie pressed on. “You have to protect yourself. If you end up in jail, what’ll happen to me and Mom?”
Owen’s face darkened further. He understood exactly what she meant—you don’t mess with the people Wyatt Cooper protects. From now on, even the Saunders family would have to bow to Yunice. But what kind of brother would he be if he just let her walk all over him?
“Owen… your phone’s ringing,” Elsie reminded him gently. He picked up—and immediately scowled. “Quinton wants to cancel the contract?”
Quinton was a traveling pharmaceutical merchant. Owen had just signed a major order for original-formulation drugs with him. Right now, his hospital was the only one in the country with access to that supply. Owen had planned to use it to boost their revenue. And now Quinton was pulling out?
“He’s never heard of breach penalties?” Owen snapped. The voice on the other end replied, “Mr. Quinton says you can sue if you want.”
For all his gentlemanly charm, Quinton was known to be ruthless. He was betting Owen wouldn’t dare take him to court, especially since he had proof of Owen’s break-in and assault.
Owen gripped his phone tighter, closed his eyes, and forced himself to swallow the bitter truth. “Fine. I get it.”
After hanging up, Elsie’s mind raced. Saunders Hospital can’t go down like this! Tears welled in her eyes. “Owen… what if we ask Yunice for help? If she talks to Wyatt, maybe he’d help the hospital through this.”
Owen sighed. “That dummy can’t even take care of herself. Why would Wyatt help her?” But as he spoke, his eyes flickered. Truth was, he just didn’t want to beg Yunice. She was his sister. She was supposed to grovel to him—not the other way around. Still, she was part of the Saunders family. She couldn’t just stand by and watch the hospital fall apart.
“Come on. Let’s bring Yunice home.”
They made their way to her room. Owen knocked. It took a long while before the door opened. A woman stood there, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe. Owen froze. It took him a moment to recognize her. “Gill?”
Yes—it was Gill. Wyatt had called her to the hospital specifically to take care of Yunice. She used to work as a maid in the Saunders household; Owen never saw her as anything more than hired help.
So he ordered, “Pack Yunice’s things. She’s coming home with me.”
Gill didn’t move. Instead, she gave Owen a mocking once-over. “And who exactly are you ordering around? Was I supposed to get a notification when you were promoted to my boss? You still think this is the era of ‘once a servant, always a servant’?”
“You—” Owen flushed with anger. He shoved past her. “I’m not talking to you. I’m here for Yunice.”
“I said you’re not going in!” Gill blocked the doorway, holding her ground. They began to shove at each other. Elsie took advantage of the moment, sneaking a vicious pinch into Gill’s side. Gill cried out in pain—and Owen took the chance to push her hard. She stumbled into the room and fell. The moment she hit the floor, she turned and saw Yunice stepping down from the bed, heading straight for her.
“Ms. Saunders, don’t move. I’m okay,” Gill said quickly, clutching her side and trying to get up. But Yunice came anyway. She stopped in front of the two intruders, her expression icy. “Who pushed her?”
Owen frowned. He didn’t like the way she was looking at him. What, she was going to start a fight over a maid? He lifted his chin defiantly. “I did. She was blocking the door. What, I wasn’t supposed to push back?”
Gill shouted, “Elsie, don’t think you can weasel out of this. You pinched me when I wasn’t looking. Don’t have the guts to own up, huh? Sneaky little rat.”
Owen turned to her in surprise. Elsie stood behind him, shoulders shrinking as she shook her head pitifully. “Owen, I didn’t…”
Before Owen could say a word, Yunice stepped forward and locked eyes with Elsie. Elsie flinched and hid behind Owen.
Yunice said calmly, “Gill, do you still have the strength?”
Gill rolled up her sleeves. “Enough to move a mountain. Just tell me what to do.”
Yunice stared directly at Elsie. “Hold her for me.”
Elsie hadn’t even processed what was happening when Gill rushed forward and grabbed her from behind in a crushing grip. Gill had the build and strength of someone used to heavy work. And she had plenty of ways to keep someone from escaping.
The Daughter in the Shadows