Chương 17: 17. "Shifting Blame and Gratitude: Boran Mael Blames The Dealer, While Vivienne is Thankful for Lucien's Company"

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Lucien's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer as he confronted Director Mael in his office. The atmosphere was tense and charged with a palpable hostility.

"Is that so?" Lucien spat out, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So, what I am hearing is also false and I am making it up? You think I am so free that I would make these kinds of rumors and spread them around?"

Lucien's cold tone was filled with sarcasm, and the Director hung his head low, unable to face Lucien's piercing gaze. Boran Mael's attempt at deception was futile, and Lucien saw right through it.

"So who was it?" Lucien demanded, his voice laced with an undercurrent of danger.

"Master Sterling...?" Director Mael feigned ignorance, trying to deceive Lucien into believing he didn't know what he was asking.

Lucien's phone suddenly rang, interrupting the tense standoff. He picked up the phone and swiped his finger around for a bit before throwing it on the table in front of Director Mael.

"What...how....!!" Director Mael stuttered as he saw the images displayed on the phone's screen. The evidence was self-evident, and there was no way he could argue against it.

"Now, what kind of excuse do you want to make, Director Mael?" Lucien demanded, leaving no room for evasion. The images showed dead bodies with missing organs or empty bodies being filled with drugs or other illegal things.

The tension in the room was suffocating as Lucien's piercing gaze bore down on Director Mael. The Director was caught red-handed, and there was no escaping the wrath of Lucien Sterling.

Director Mael stood there, shivering and speechless, as Lucien's anger boiled over. The air was thick with tension as Lucien's eyes blazed with fury.

It was clear that Director Mael had overstepped his bounds, and he would have to face the consequences of his actions.

The room was silent save for the sound of Director Mael's ragged breaths as he tried to find the words to defend himself. But Lucien was not interested in excuses or apologies.

"You have betrayed me," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You have put the lives of innocent people at risk for your own selfish gain."

Director Mael was on his knees, his voice trembling with fear as he begged for mercy from Lucien Sterling, one of the most powerful men in the city. He knew that he had made a grave mistake, and that he would have to pay the price for it.

"I am begging Master Sterling," he pleaded, "I was being forced by The Dealer and his subordinates, known as The Pushers, which included individuals like Snake, Viper, and Scorpion. They kept my wife and son in their custody, and had their men watch over us. I was forced to fulfill their demands."

Lucien looked down at him with amusement, as though he were watching a clown performing in a circus.

"Ohh, you were forced by this Dealer guy," Lucien mused. "Let's see. I will give you three days to prepare the evidence that can prove you were forced and had no hand in the illegal activities in the hospital."

Lucien knew that Director Mael lacked the courage to do such despicable things on his own, so it was likely that The Dealer was someone with significant resources and influence to be able to operate under the Sterling family's radar.

As Lucien had been in hibernation for ten years, he had no idea who The Dealer was, or what kind of power lay behind him.

"Thank you, thank you for your grace, Master Sterling," Director Mael said, his relief palpable as he licked Lucien's ass with flattery and put the blame on The Dealer.

"Remember, you only have three days!" Lucien warned as he got up and walked towards the door, giving Director Mael a chilling glare before exiting the room.

The office was silent after Lucien's departure, save for the sound of Director Mael's ragged breaths as he tried to calm himself. He knew that he had only been given a reprieve, and that he needed to act quickly to secure the evidence he needed to protect himself and his family.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as he thought of The Dealer and what kind of wrath he might unleash upon them if he discovered their betrayal. But he also knew that he had no choice but to fight back, to protect himself and the people he loved.

In the end, he knew that he had no one to blame but himself. He had chosen to take the path of greed and corruption, and now he would have to face the consequences of his actions.

....

Meanwhile, Vivienne bade farewell to her friend, she couldn't help but notice how tired and worn out her friend looked. A part of her wanted to stay and keep her company, but she knew that her friend needed rest more than anything else.

As she walked out of the wardroom, she was greeted by Lucien in the hallway. His deep voice reverberated through the air, making her heart skip a beat. She could feel her cheeks flush with warmth as he asked if she was done talking to her friend.

"Y-Yes, she's fine," Vivienne stuttered, trying to regain her composure. "She's resting now."

Lucien's eyes bore into hers, making her feel both nervous and excited at the same time. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked in the dimly lit hallway. It was then that she remembered that they had both missed dinner.

Suddenly, her stomach growled loudly, breaking the spell between them. Lucien chuckled at the sound, his deep laughter echoing through the hallway.

"Sounds like someone's hungry," he teased, his lips curling up into a smirk.

Vivienne felt her cheeks heat up once again, but she couldn't help but smile. She had always been self-conscious about her appetite, but Lucien seemed to find it endearing.

"Maybe we should grab a bite to eat," he suggested, his hand reaching out to touch hers.

Vivienne's heart skipped a beat as Lucien's hand clasped hers. She looked up at him with a shy smile, feeling a rush of excitement coursing through her veins. As they strolled down the hallway, hand in hand, Vivienne couldn't help but feel grateful for his company.

The warmth of his hand in hers sent a shiver down her spine, but it was a pleasant sensation. She no longer felt awkward or uncomfortable in his presence. Instead, she felt a sense of closeness, like they were family. The touch of his hand was familiar and comforting, like a warm embrace on a cold winter's night.

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