Don’t You Dare Talk to Me Like That Again,” the Nurse With Glasses Said—Then the Mafia Boss Smiled

By mid-afternoon the following day, the hospital lobby had transformed into a high-security checkpoint as local media vans began parking outside following leaked rumors of Patrick Ror’s sudden hospitalization. Inside the cardiac wing, tension reached a boiling point when a senior hospital board member, Arthur Vance, tried to force his way past the nurses’ station accompanied by two unfamiliar men in sharp suits. Audrey stepped directly into their path before they could reach the restricted hallway leading to Patrick’s suite.

“Visiting hours for non-family members are strictly suspended,” Audrey announced, crossing her arms over her chest.

Arthur Vance, a slick man with greased gray hair and an expensive gold Rolex, sneered down at her.

“Listen to me, Nurse Hail. I am on the hospital board of directors. My signature approves your departmental budget and your salary. Move aside immediately.”

Audrey didn’t blink.

“You can be the CEO of the universe, Mr. Vance, but without a security clearance badge and a doctor’s pass, you aren’t stepping past this desk.”

Before Vance could raise his voice or summon hospital security to override her, the door to the executive suite swung open, and Callum stepped out into the hallway. The sheer drop in temperature across the corridor was palpable. Callum walked slowly toward them with his hands resting casually in his trouser pockets, his dark gaze locked entirely on Arthur Vance.

“Is there a problem here?” Callum asked, his voice deceptively soft.

Vance’s demeanor shifted instantly from arrogant superiority to nervous sweating as he recognized the dangerous crime boss standing before him.

“Mr... Mr. Ror. I was just—we only wanted to check on your father’s condition on behalf of the board,” Vance stammered, his polished confidence evaporating into thin air.

“My father’s condition is none of the board’s concern,” Callum said coldly, stepping close enough to make Vance back up against the wall. “And if I ever see you speak to Nurse Hail in that tone of voice again, you won't have to worry about hospital budgets ever recovering.”

Vance swallowed hard, nodding frantically before turning on his heel and fleeing down the corridor with his associates practically tripping over each other to escape. Audrey watched them go, letting out a slow breath before turning her sharp gaze back toward Callum.

“You didn’t have to threaten him on my behalf,” she said, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

“I didn’t threaten him,” Callum replied smoothly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “I simply negotiated a boundary.”