Chapter 12

The security guards swiftly surrounded Cassian and rolled up their sleeves, looking as though they were prepared to get physical with him.

Vera hastily cried out, "Dr. Goff Sr., Cassian is from my department. Can you spare him for my sake?"

Donald shot Vera an icy glare and retorted, "My son is from your department, too. Why didn't you protect him?"

Vera was rendered speechless.

"Dr. Frost, all I intend to do is hold this punk accountable. I hope you won't stop me, or else, don't blame me for not showing you any courtesy," Donald snarled before barking his command at the guards. "Cripple him."

"Hold it!" Vera called out. "Dr. Goff Sr., these security guards work for the hospital. They're not your private bodyguards. You don't have the authority to command them to beat up someone."

"What a joke! I'm the vice president of the hospital. Apart from the president himself, I can give orders to anyone in this hospital, and that includes you!"

"According to the hospital's management rules, even the hospital leadership cannot abuse their authority."

"Stop bringing up this nonsense with me. All I want to do now is avenge my son. Get him, men!"

Seeing that the security guards were about to make their move, Vera panicked. She stood in front of Cassian and shouted, "Let's see who dares to hit him!"

Recognizing Vera, the security guards were conflicted.

"What should we do now, Dr. Goff Sr.?" one of them asked Donald.

Eyeing Vera in hostility, Donald snarled, "Do you intend to make an enemy out of me, Dr. Frost?"

"You misunderstood my intentions, Dr. Goff Sr. I'm not trying to make an enemy out of you. I just wish to remind you that as part of the hospital's upper management, it's important for you to maintain your image. It's not right for you to order the security guards to beat up someone."

"Why didn't you stop him when he was attacking my son then?" Donald roared. "I don't care who it is. No one can stop me from avenging Shawn today! Cripple that bastard. If anything happens, I'll handle the consequences!"

Seeing how firm Donald was, the security guards had nothing more to worry about.

"Please step aside, Dr. Frost. Don't say we didn't warn you," one of the security guards said.

Cassian piped up, "Step aside, Dr. Frost. I can handle these men."

"But—"

"Trust me, Dr. Frost," Cassian said with a look of full confidence.

He'd already mastered some of the knowledge from his ancestor. Even though it was just the tiniest bit, it was more than enough to deal with a bunch of security guards.

After hesitating for a moment, Vera pulled Jasmine to the side while saying to Cassian, "Be careful."

Cassian faced off against the security guards alone. They were also eyeing him as they balled their fists and prepared themselves to take him down.

All of a sudden, a Maybach came screeching toward them before coming to a stop beside Donald. The door opened, and a middle-aged man disembarked from the driver's seat. He had a stern expression and a fearsome look in his eyes.

Cassian was startled by the sight of him. Why was Claude here?

As soon as Donald saw Claude, he dropped Shawn and rushed over, greeting respectfully, "Mr. Hudson! What brings you here today?"

Claude looked around at the scene before him. Expression unchanged, he said curtly, "I'm here on business."

"You needn't have come by yourself, Dr. Hudson! If there's anything you need, feel free to let me know. I'll get it done for you!" Donald declared in an obsequious manner, as if he were a slave speaking to his master.

"You?" Claude finally looked squarely at Donald. "Are you sure you can handle one of Lord Drakeford's requests?"

Lord Drakeford?

The name left Donald feeling thunderstruck, though he also felt even more confused. Why did Thiago send Claude to the hospital? Was there some prominent figure currently hospitalized here at Rivershire Hospital? That was impossible!

If that were the case, being the vice president, he would most definitely be made aware of that.

Just then, Donald saw Claude approaching Cassian, saying, "We meet again, Dr. York."

"It's nice to see you, Mr. Hudson," Cassian replied politely.

"Are you free right now, Dr. York?" Claude asked.

"I'm afraid not," Cassian answered before pointing at the security guards. "They're just about to turn me into a cripple."

Claude shot a piercing look at the security guards, who immediately felt as though they'd been marked by a predator. Shuddering, they all backed away. They'd seen the murderous look in Claude's eyes. They knew he had to have killed people before.

"What's going on here, Donald?" Claude asked grimly.

Donald hurriedly replied, "Mr. Hudson, Cassian York here crippled my son. I was just about to take revenge on his behalf."

"Your son?" Claude glanced at Shawn, who was lying on the ground. "Why are you taking revenge when he's not dead yet?"

Everyone was stunned.

Not quite grasping Claude's words, Donald asked, "What do you mean by that, Mr. Hudson?"

"Dr. York is a friend of Lord Drakeford," Claude declared. "I'm here on Lord Drakeford's orders to escort Dr. York over as his guest."

"What? He's a friend of Lord Drakeford?" Donald stared at Cassian in disbelief.

To his knowledge, all of Thiago's friends were old men—powerful ones who could make all of Rivershire shake with a snap of their fingers. Cassian was merely an intern doctor in his early 20s. How could he be a friend of Thiago's?

Was there some kind of misunderstanding?

"Do you think I'm lying to you?" Claude questioned with a look of displeasure. Pointing at the Maybach, he said to Donald, "If you don't believe me, feel free to check for yourself. That is Lord Drakeford's personal car."

"You must be joking, Mr. Hudson! I would never doubt you," Donald declared while secretly glancing at the license plate.

RSA 88888!

That was a one-of-a-kind license plate, which meant the Maybach certainly belonged to Thiago. Donald began to feel fearful. Thiago had sent his personal bodyguard in his personal car to escort Cassian. That was truly an honor. How was Cassian related to Thiago? Were they truly just friends?

"I'm taking Dr. York to Lord Drakeford now. Do you have any problem with that?" Claude asked.

"Not at all!"

Donald dared not claim otherwise. Despite being the vice president of Rivershire Hospital, he was nothing compared to the truly powerful figures in Rivershire.

"You better not have any problems. If you do, feel free to come to me about them," Claude said with a menacing expression.

Donald's heart thumped as a sense of terror crept over him. He quickly declared with an ingratiating smile, "I would never dare to have a problem with you, Mr. Hudson!"

"That better be true. This way, please, Dr. York," Claude said before opening the car door for Cassian.

Donald's eyelids were twitching. Claude was treating Cassian as though he were some kind of powerful figure as well!

"I'd like to bring my mom with me, if that's alright?" Cassian asked.

Glancing at Jasmine, Claude nodded. "Of course."

After helping Jasmine into the car, Cassian said to Vera, "Thanks for your help today, Dr. Frost. Allow me to treat you to a meal some other day."

Seeing that Cassian was about to leave, Shawn cried out in agitation, "Dad! How can you let them leave? Quick! Stop Cassian and kill him—"

"Shut up!"

Donald shot Shawn a vicious glare before bowing respectfully, saying, "Drive safe, Mr. Hudson."

Claude drove off with Cassian and Jasmine in tow. Only then did Donald let out a heavy exhale and straighten back up.

Outraged, Shawn questioned, "Dad! Why did you let Cassian escape? Aren't you going to avenge me?"

With a bitter expression, Donald replied, "I'm afraid we might have to forget about what happened today."

"Why?"

"Because he's Lord Drakeford's friend."

"Is that all?" Shawn roared. "Who's Lord Drakeford anyway? Why are you so scared of him? Don't tell me he's untouchable."

Sighing, Donald said, "Here in Rivershire, Lord Drakeford is indeed untouchable!"