Doctor Athena

Luke looked straight at Fiona and said, "That call was from the Cavanade group."

"The Cavanade? You mean 'the Cavanade' that we all know?" Letitia asked.

"Yes, Mr. Cavanade is sick and needs surgery." Luke said, his face breaking into a smile.

"Why were you called? Did you ask…" Fiona started to ask.

"No, Fiona, this is not the time to ask questions. This opportunity just fell into our laps. It is either we get this surgery right or give up and let the Ashford family take over." Luke said.

There were murmurs of agreement in the room as everyone silently endorsed Luke's words.

"If I may?" Liora finally spoke up.

The room went silent as they all looked towards her. The gentle smile on her face was a contrast to what was going through her mind.

"Yes, you can speak, Liora." Fiona said, nodding her head.

"Who would be performing the surgery? And that begs the question of what kind of surgery it is." Liora asked.

Luke looked irritated at her questions as he shifted in his seat before answering, "Oh, didn't I mention? It's a surgery of the brain, and Fiona here is the only one with that experience."

Fiona's head jerked in Luke's direction as her eyes narrowed in shock.

"Luke, you know it's been ages since I took part in surgeries. We currently don't have a surgeon that can…" Fiona started.

"Oh, please, Fiona, are we really going to let this opportunity go simply because you haven't been in the theater for a few years?" Luke asked, emphasizing each word.

"You know that is not what I meant." Fiona defended.

"Very well then, if you cannot perform the surgery, then you have to agree to letting the Ashford family take over." Luke stated, a note of finality in his voice.

A heavy silence weighed on the room as everyone turned their eyes to Fiona, waiting for her response.

Liora stood up, coughed slightly, and walked over to the end of the table and stood facing the whole room.

"What else do you have to say?" Luke asked, getting more annoyed with her presence by the minute.

"What if we take that challenge? What options are on the table?" Liora asked, staring straight at Luke.

There were murmurs of confusion in the room as everyone looked from Liora to Luke. The tension in the air cracked with suspense as they all waited for Luke's response.

"I'm pretty sure it's clear; if Fiona is able to perform the surgery, then we would be known for treating a very powerful person in the state, which would help our reputation." Letitia interjected.

"Okay, then that means no more takeover from the Ashford family." Liora said, clapping her hands together.

Luke's brows drew together as he tried to understand what she was trying to do.

"I have been the president of the hospital since my husband, Samuel White, died. I'm pretty sure you all should trust my judgment by now." Fiona stated, standing up from her seat.

"We all know, but that is not going to get us the desired change we need right now. This hospital is in dire need of saving Fiona, and only a miracle, like the Mr. Cavande surgery or the Ashford family, can save us right now." Another person in the room interjected.

"We can get the surgery done." Liora stated loudly.

All heads turned towards Liora at her statement, all surprised by the grin they saw on her face.

"What are you talking about?" Luke asked.

"I am going to get us one of the best doctors in the medical field and solve two problems at once." Liora stated confidently.

As she spoke, she saw the curiosity on everyone's face except Luke's.

"What exactly are you going to do?" Letitia asked.

"All we need is one name to get the attention we want and also get the surgery done." Liora stated confidently.

"Oh please, don't tell me that name is yours." Luke stated, looking amused. and trying not to laugh.

Liora's lips pulled up in a half smile as she placed her hand on the table and leaned forward.

"I will be getting us Dr. Athena!" Liora announced.

There were a few seconds of shock before the room broke out in chaos.

"What? Doctor Athena?"

"Is that not just a legend?"

"Does the doctor even exist?"

Luke looked visibly pissed as he slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Do you think this is a joke? Are you trying to play with our intelligence? We are in dire need of a solution, and all you have to say is the name of a doctor we don't even know exists."

"Luke White, that is enough!" Fiona stated, her voice harder than it had been the whole meeting.

Luke turned slowly towards her, his eyes narrowing as he said, "Enough? Do you have any idea what is going on?"

Fiona's hand folded into a fist at her side as she said, "I know better than anyone here what is going on, Luke."

"I don't think you do. If you did, you would hand over the hospital to the Ashfords without thinking." Luke countered.

"Isn't that what you really want? So you can take my position?" Fiona said, her voice barely above a whisper but loud enough for Luke's ears.

Luke looked ready to explode as his face turned red with anger. The room was silent, tension thick in the air as Fiona's words hung between them.

"What would you do if I got the doctor down here?" Liora asked, drawing Luke's attention from Fiona.

"I know you cannot. The doctor does not exist. And even if the doctor exists, how would you know how to get someone that famous here?" Luke asked, not believing her.

"I know how to get the doctor down here." Liora stated confidently.

"And how would you do that? I'm pretty sure everyone in this room is waiting to hear it." Luke murmured.

The smile on Liora's face vanished as she nodded and pointed, "She can get me the doctor."

All eyes turned in the direction of her hands.