23. "New Director Arrives: A Momentous Occasion for the Hospital"

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The subordinate stood before Nathaniel Delacroix, knowing that his next words could change everything. His heart pounded in his chest as he finally mustered the courage to speak.

"It's Sterling's," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nathaniel's arrogance vanished in an instant, replaced by a raw shock that made his hands shake. "What...!" he exclaimed, his mind racing with the implications of this revelation. "Move damn it, what are you standing here for, remove any traces of which can lead them us," he barked, his voice thick with panic. He knew that they needed to act fast before Sterling caught wind of their schemes.

The subordinate nodded frantically and scurried off, his footsteps echoing through the empty room. He hastily relayed Nathaniel's orders to his colleague, his voice trembling with fear.

Nathaniel was left alone, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plan. He cursed loudly, his frustration boiling over as he realized that everything was falling apart.

"Why can't anything go according to the plan," he muttered to himself, his hands shaking with tension. He bit his fingernails nervously, his mind racing with the implications of Sterling's discovery. He knew that he needed to act fast if he wanted to salvage the situation, but he couldn't shake the feeling that everything was slipping out of his grasp.

Nathaniel didn't know that Andrew Lee had already obtained his information and presented it to the Head of Sterling.

....

Sterling Mansion,

Lucien Sterling furrowed his brow as he scrutinized the two photos side by side. His eyes darted from one to the other, taking note of every detail. He muttered under his breath, piecing together the puzzle in his mind.

"So this guy here is cousin of Vivi, and they were most likely threatening her that day." His voice was low, but there was a cold edge to it that made Butler James flinch. Lucien's gaze flicked up to his trusted butler, and he noticed the older man's slight discomfort.

"How dare Delacroix take lightly to this matter," he continued, his voice growing more heated. "Don't they have any idea that behind Vivienne, Sterling are standing?"

Butler James hesitated before speaking, unsure of how to quell his master's anger. "I think that the Elders of Delacroix had no idea about this matter or that Ms. Vivienne is already married to you, Master Sterling. Or even if they knew that she was married, they might not know who Ms. Vivienne is married to!"

Lucien mulled over James's words, his anger slowly dissipating. He realized that his butler was right. They couldn't just barge into someone else's family matter without informing Vivienne first.

"Hmmm, you might be right, Uncle James," Lucien said finally, his voice calmer. "Let's not do something unnecessary. I'll ask Vivi if she needs our interference in this matter, as it might be rude to her if we get involved without informing her!"

Butler James nodded in agreement with Lucien's decision to wait for Vivienne's response. However, he couldn't help but bring up another matter that had arrived that morning.

"Master Sterling, a notice arrived this morning about the Nexus General Hospital's Director appointment. The Board selected the candidate, which turned out to be the niece of the previously appointed director, Mr. Mael." James handed Lucien a smart pad that he usually used to take notes.

Lucien's eyes widened in disbelief as he read the mail. "Huh! Those useless old men took their sweet time appointing a director, and what about this girl? Is she competent?" He sneered in disdain towards the Board members responsible for the appointment.

James cleared his throat, preparing to answer Lucien's question. "Yes, she seems very competent when it comes to her academic records. She graduated at the top of her class and specialized in managing, supervising, and also-"

But before James could finish his sentence, Lucien cut him off. "Alright, alright, I get it. But I need to see her in action before I make any judgments. We can't have a repeat of the last director's incompetence." Lucien's voice was firm, and James knew better than to argue with him.

"As you wish, Master Sterling," James replied with a small bow. He knew that Lucien had high standards and expected nothing but the best for Nexus General Hospital. He silently prayed that the new director would live up to Lucien's expectations.

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Nexus General Hospital,

The bustling hospital had an unusual air of anticipation as the staff went about their day. Even the senior doctors, who usually moved around with an air of authority, were now busy with last-minute preparations.

Today was the day the new director was supposed to take over, filling the empty chair of the previous director and resuming the halted work that required the director's permission.

As the doctors made their way through the halls, an old senior doctor asked his colleague and friend, "Do you know anything about the new director, Old Luo?"

Old Luo shook his head, denying any knowledge about the new director. "No idea. Even the news about the new director, I got it today!"

"Well, we only know that she is the niece of the old director and has highly academic records. Except for that, we have no idea!" Another old man butted in with this information.

As they stood there discussing the new director, an old doctor with a shiny bald head and a few white hairs on the sides approached them. "Ohh, Old Colte, you also came to welcome the new director. Here we were thinking that you don't care about giving face to the new Director," Old Luo remarked with a snorty tone.

Old Colte replied in an equally harsh jab towards them. "Ohh, I don't dare to not give face to our superior. What about you two, Old Luo and Old Noel? I thought you two had a problem with the previous director, so why did you come to welcome his niece?"

The bickering continued until an old woman with a stern look on her face came by and gave them a harsh glare. "Oh, common, can you oldies be quiet for some time and not quarrel in front of staff members?" she scolded them for making a scene at the front entrance, making other staff members uncomfortable.

The old doctors fell silent, and a moment of awkwardness hung in the air.

"Beep...beep...!!"

As the old doctors stood there, a sleek black car suddenly pulled up beside them. The driver hurriedly got out and rushed to open the door of the back seat.

"Wow...wow...!!" Several gasps were heard from onlookers and staff members as they caught a glimpse of their new director.

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