An Arrogant Surgeon Threw a Penniless Old Woman into the Hallway to Impress a Billionaire — Then the Billionaire Walked In

David moved toward the intake desk as if pulled by an invisible chain.

"Mr. Ross?" Vance called out, jogging after him, his leather shoes squeaking on the wet tile. "Sir, please, the private elevator is this way. The board members are waiting—"

David didn't hear him.

His trembling hands reached out and lifted the wet blue scarf from the counter.

He turned the worn fabric over until his thumb brushed against the ragged bottom hem. There, woven through the cheap blue wool, was a crooked little cross stitched in dull golden embroidery thread.

Thirty years ago, when he was a terrified eight-year-old orphan in a leaky trailer, a woman had taught him how to stitch that exact mark so his school clothes wouldn't get mixed up with the other kids'.

“So you always remember you’re made of gold, Davie,” her gentle voice echoed in his memory.

A tear spilled down David’s cheek, hitting the frayed yarn.

He whipped around, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made the surrounding executives take an instinctive step back.

"Where is she?" David demanded, his voice a low, terrifying growl. "Who brought this in?"

Vance swallowed hard, a drop of sweat forming at his temple. "That? That’s just... garbage, Mr. Ross. A filthy rag left behind by an insubordinate nurse I just fired. Some homeless Jane Doe was wearing it. I had security throw her out into the alley—"

David grabbed Vance by the lapels of his expensive lab coat, yanking the surgeon forward until their faces were inches apart.

"If you harmed one hair on her head," David whispered, pure venom dripping from every syllable, "I will burn this hospital to the ground."

David shoved Vance back and looked down at the polished floor.

A faint trail of wet wheel marks and discarded white gauze strips led away from Room 304, straight toward the dark, unlit service corridor.

David didn't hesitate. He broke into a dead sprint.

"Stop him!" Vance shrieked, his voice cracking in panic as he chased after the billionaire. "Security, stop him! That corridor is an authorized-personnel-only zone!"

David reached the heavy service door and threw it open with a deafening crash.

At the very end of the hall, the door to a small, windowless storage alcove rattled.

Vance caught up, breathing heavily, and lunged for the doorknob ahead of David, desperate to hide whatever was inside.

"Step aside, Mr. Ross!" Vance yelled frantically. "I’ll handle this trespasser myself!"

Vance ripped the alcove door open to scream at Elena—and David shoved past him into the dim room.