"What are you waiting for? Do it already." I rolled my eyes, irritated. The guard raised the full-body scanner and scanned me from head to toe. "No need to scan my men," I added coolly. "They won't be entering the mansion."
He gave a curt nod. "The butler will lead you to the living room." A middle-aged man with sharp features and tailored attire appeared almost instantly. "Please follow me, sir."
I walked behind him, taking in the sheer extravagance of the mansion. Golden chandeliers sparkled like constellations, floors of polished Italian marble reflected the light like mirrors, and every piece of furniture looked like it belonged in a royal palace. The smell of rich oud and leather lingered in the air.
The butler gestured politely. "Please wait here, sir. The master will be with you shortly."
Minutes later, a figure appeared at the top of the grand, spiraling staircase Dr. William Riverson himself, dressed in a crisp black three-piece suit, descending with a calm, calculated grace that screamed wealth and power.
"Mark," he greeted with a slight smile, "to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" This man… after all the time I wasted getting in here, now he wants to play nice? I thought bitterly. I stood. "Sir."
"Oh, no need. Sit down. Did the butler offer you something?"
"Yeah, I had some juice." I took a breath. "Look, I won't waste time. Your guards already wasted half an hour if they knew the importance of what I came to tell you…"
I rolled my eyes.
William frowned. "You've always been so full of yourself. Maybe it's time you learned humility." "Humility?" I snapped. "I'm losing my patience. I came here to tell you that your daughter, your blood is in the ICU fighting for her life… and you want me to calm down? Fuck that!"
There was a sharp intake of breath from behind. "What did you just say?" asked a soft, commanding voice.I turned. And there she was. Kim Riverson.
Dressed in an elegant cream silk robe, diamond-studded sandals, and a small gold tiara subtly resting in her sleek waves she looked nothing short of royalty. Her presence was magnetic. Regal. Untouchable. She was stunning, and yet the moment was clouded with the tears welling in her eyes.
"Could you repeat what you just said?" Her voice trembled. For some reason, watching her cry stung more than it should have. I walked to her and gently held her hands. "Yes, ma'am. Your daughter… her name is Aurora. She's my wife."
"Aurora?" they both gasped. "Yes. Aurora Brooks." Kim sank onto the velvet chaise like her legs couldn't hold her weight. Tears streamed down her flawless cheeks.
"I always felt… there was a connection." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I can't believe this. I've found my princess."
"Yes, ma'am. But you have to save her before it's too late."
William's expression hardened as realization set in. "Her leukemia…" he murmured. "Kim, go get changed. We're going to the hospital immediately."
"No." Her eyes blazed. "I'm going like this."
William hesitated but then nodded. "If you say so." Mark," Kim said firmly, rising with a queen's poise, "lead the way." "Of course, Mother-in-law," I said with a smirk.
William shot me a sharp look he clearly didn't enjoy the thought of me being married to his only daughter.
We all piled into separate luxury cars, an entire fleet of armored vehicles and blacked-out Range Rovers trailing behind. The convoy looked like a presidential escort. Every head on the road turned as we drove by. At the hospital, we entered through a private VIP entrance guarded by elite security. The sterile air hit us as we stepped into the ICU floor.
Angel, Maxwell, and Tiwa were seated outside, drained and quiet. They stood as we approached. "Sorry to intrude," I began, "but… this is Mr. and Mrs. Riverson. Aurora's biological parents." Angel gasped. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Maxwell, we meet again," William said with a nod. "Yes, sir. I'm still processing this… I can't believe you're my baby's father."
Now both William and I shot daggers at Maxwell. What was wrong with this guy? Why was every man around his daughter so drawn to her?
Angel chuckled at the expression on both our faces. "Max, you better chill before you get knocked out. First the husband, now the father." "Sorry," Maxwell said, rubbing his neck. "That's just how I've always addressed Aurora."
"Hmph," William grunted. "Watch it."
Kim hadn't said a word. Her eyes darted around until they finally landed on the ICU doors. "William… where is she?" Just then, a doctor approached, bowing slightly. "Dr. Gordon," William said. "What's the status?"
"She's still on the heart machine, sir."
"Expensive, I assume?"
"Yes, sir. Her husband has paid 2 billion cedis so far. Another round is due within 24 hours."
William turned calmly. "No need for another transaction. Get the operating room ready. We're doing the surgery today."
Mark blinked. "Thank you, sir… but I have to ask why is the treatment so expensive?"
Dr. Gordon nodded. "The machine drains immense power. The hospital gets 10,000 watts of electricity from the national dam. That alone costs half a billion monthly. The machines must also be frequently replaced and maintained each worth millions."
"I get it now." I nodded.
"Oh and Officer Jacobs is here," I added. "Jake hired him to find Aurora's real parents. He's been trying to reach you for weeks, but your secretary…" I scoffed, "is extremely rude. You might want to rethink her employment."
"Scorpion," Mark ordered, "let him in."
Within moments, Officer Jacobs entered, holding a thick file. "Sir," he greeted respectfully. "Hand over the file," I told him.
William took it, his eyes scanning quickly. He froze. "Sir… are you alright?" I asked carefully.
He closed the file slowly. "Kim…" he whispered, looking into her eyes. "She really is our Hazel." Kim gasped, and in an instant, she collapsed into William's arms, sobbing softly.
My eye twitched. Great… now the old couple is having a lovey-dovey moment. Cute but kind of disgusting