Chapter 7 - The Mafia Boss Who Had Everything to Lose|
Clara didn't sleep that night.
She sat beside the hotel window watching traffic move through the dark streets.
Marcus's words repeated in her mind.
The money missing from the hospital belongs to him.
Adrian.
The man she'd saved.
The man who'd bought the hospital.
The man who looked at her as though she were the only person in the room.
Could he be connected to the scheme that had cost her career?
The following morning, Clara met Rebecca at her office.
She explained everything Marcus had said.
Rebecca listened without interrupting.
Then she asked:
"Did he provide evidence?"
"No."
"Then we treat it as an allegation requiring verification."
Clara nodded.
That was the professional answer.
The correct answer.
But her emotions weren't cooperating.
"I want to believe Adrian is helping," she admitted.
Rebecca looked at her.
"Then don't decide based on what you want to believe. Let the evidence tell you."
Clara exhaled.
"You're right."
Rebecca leaned forward.
"And Clara, there's something else."
"What?"
"The hospital's independent investigators want to interview you."
Clara straightened.
"About the inventory records?"
"Yes. They've also identified unusual access to your employee account after your suspension."
Her stomach tightened.
"Someone used my credentials?"
"That's one possibility."
Clara stared.
She remembered Marcus telling her three vials were missing.
Her credentials.
Her supposed responsibility.
Someone could have been altering records to make her look guilty.
"I want the logs," she said.
Rebecca nodded.
"We've requested them."
That afternoon, Clara received another call.
Adrian.
She hesitated before answering.
"Hello?"
"Clara."
His voice was deeper than she remembered.
"How are you?"
She looked at the folder in front of her.
"Complicated."
He was silent.
Then he said:
"I heard Marcus contacted you."
Clara's stomach dropped.
"How?"
"Your attorney informed the hospital's legal team. They told me there might be new allegations involving the company."
Clara closed her eyes.
"Then you know what he said."
"Yes."
She took a breath.
"Is it true?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Her heart sank.
"Adrian."
He spoke quietly.
"Northstar Medical Distribution has a connection to one of my former business partners."
Clara froze.
"What?"
"I didn't know about the hospital payments until recently."
She stared.
"Then why did you buy the hospital?"
"Because our financial review identified irregularities, and I believed taking control would allow the hospital to stabilize operations while independent investigators examined them."
Clara shook her head.
"You should have told me there was a connection."
"You're right."
The admission startled her.
Adrian continued.
"I didn't want to make claims I couldn't prove, and I was advised not to discuss active investigative details."
Clara swallowed.
"But you could have told me there was something I needed to know."
"Yes."
Silence.
Then Adrian said:
"I understand if you don't trust me."
Clara looked toward the window.
"I don't know what to think."
"Then don't decide today."
She closed her eyes.
For a moment, she wished he would become defensive.
Angry.
Controlling.
Something familiar.
Instead, he was giving her space.
Adrian continued.
"I've authorized full cooperation with the outside investigation. If anyone associated with me committed a crime, they should be held accountable."
Clara swallowed.
"Even if it costs you money?"
"Especially then."
She looked down.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she whispered:
"Why do you care what happens to me?"
Adrian was silent.
When he answered, his voice had changed.
"Because you reminded me what kind of man I wanted to be before everything became about power."
Clara felt her chest tighten.
"Adrian..."
He laughed softly.
"I know. Terrible timing."
Despite herself, she smiled.
"Very."
Then he said something unexpected.
"Would you have dinner with me when all this is over?"
Clara froze.
"What?"
"Dinner. Somewhere public. No bodyguards at the table. No hospital discussions unless you bring them up."
She stared.
"Are you asking me on a date?"
"Yes."
Her heart raced.
She thought about Marcus.
His humiliation.
His betrayal.
The way he'd made her feel grateful for any attention.
Then she thought about Adrian.
A dangerous man with a complicated history.
A man she barely knew.
A man who had nevertheless listened when she told him no.
"Adrian, I need time."
"Take all you need."
Clara smiled faintly.
"Okay."
He paused.
"Is that a yes?"
"That's a maybe."
She heard his quiet laugh.
"I'll take it."
After the call, Clara sat motionless.
She hadn't realized how badly she wanted someone to see her as more than her body.
Marcus had looked at her curves and seen something to hide.
Adrian had looked at her in bloodstained scrubs and seen someone capable.
But attraction wasn't enough.
She needed truth.
And she was going to find it.
That evening, Rebecca called again.
Her voice sounded urgent.
"Clara, we have the access logs."
Clara sat upright.
"What do they show?"
"Your account was used to approve several medication adjustments while you were off duty."
Her heart raced.
"Can we identify who accessed it?"
"Investigators traced the sessions to a workstation associated with Brittany Collins."
Clara closed her eyes.
"Brittany."
Rebecca continued.
"There's more."
"What?"
"One of those sessions occurred while Brittany was attending a private meeting with Marcus."
Clara frowned.
"Then who used the workstation?"
Rebecca hesitated.
"That's what we're trying to establish."
Clara stared at the wall.
Then Rebecca spoke again.
"And Clara?"
"Yes?"
"The audit uncovered a second employee account involved in the suspicious approvals."
Clara swallowed.
"Whose?"
May you like
Rebecca's voice became quiet.
"Your sister Emily's."
