Chapter 124: Arrival
The morning sun slipped through the half-open blinds, painting soft golden streaks across the bedroom where Sophie lay back in bed, her body still buzzing from the wild, reckless heat of the night before. The sheets were cool against her skin now, the damp patches from her steamy romp with Devon mostly dried, but the faint, musky scent of their passion clung to the fabric like a dirty little secret that made her smirk.
She lay on her side, blonde hair fanned out over the pillow, her sheer black nightie back on, clinging to her curves like a second skin, the lace teasing the tops of her thighs. Her breaths were slow and steady, matching the soft snores of Mark beside her, who was completely clueless. His hair was a tangled mess, his arm flung carelessly over the blanket, his face slack in sleep, no idea about the fire that had burned just hours ago in the bathroom.
Sophie’s lips curled into a sly, satisfied smile, her body still tingling with the memory of Devon’s rough hands, his thick cock stretching her, his hot cum dripping down her thighs under the shower’s steamy spray.
The thrill of it the sheer balls of fucking Devon with Mark snoring so close sent a shiver racing through her, her pussy giving a quick, needy pulse just thinking about it.
She could still feel the ghost of Devon’s touch, the way his fingers dug into her hips, the way his tongue claimed her mouth, the wet sounds of their bodies in the shower. It had been reckless, dangerous, and so damn hot. But Devon was gone now, slipped out before the sun even thought about rising.
His phone had buzzed with a sharp, urgent message as he pulled on his clothes, his eyes catching hers in the foggy mirror with a knowing, wicked glint that made her heart skip. The text was short and to the point: early meeting with the hospital board, no details, just telling him to come to the conference room.
Sophie had watched him go, her body still humming, her fingers brushing her lips where his bruising kiss lingered, before she slid back into bed, pulling on a mask of normal life like it was nothing.
Devon, though, didn’t swing by his office like he would on a regular day. He drove straight to the hospital’s executive conference room, the sleek glass-and-steel building cutting into the pale morning sky like a blade.
The air was crisp, carrying a mix of wet dew and city exhaust as he parked in the near-empty lot, his black SUV gleaming under the early light. He strode through the polished lobby, his steps quick and sure, the click of his dress shoes echoing off the marble floors.
He straightening his tie, his suit hugging his broad shoulders like it was made for him. His face slipped into the cool, professional mask he wore so well, but a flicker of curiosity nagged at him. A meeting this early, with no agenda shared, was off, even for someone like him who was used to being in the thick of things.
The hospital lobby was quiet, only a few early-shift nurses bustling about, their sneakers squeaking softly on the floor. One of them, a young woman with a messy bun and tired eyes, spotted him and grinned wide. "Morning, Dr Devon, thanks for saving everyone lives in the hospital," she said, her voice bright with awe.
Devon gave a quick nod, his lips twitching into a half-smile. "Just doing the job, Sarah," he said, his voice low and easy, though the praise felt good, warming his chest as he headed for the elevators.
The doors slid open with a soft ding, and he stepped inside, the mirrored walls reflecting his sharp suit and the faint shadow of stubble on his jaw.
The elevator soon back opened to the executive hallway, the carpet plush under his shoes, the walls lined with framed photos of past hospital bigwigs, their serious faces staring down like they were judging him. He passed a portrait of the former president, his stern eyes seeming to follow, and Devon’s curiosity spiked higher.
He pushed open the heavy oak door to the conference room, and the space hit him like a wave, a long, polished table gleaming under the soft lights, surrounded by high-backed leather chairs, most of them filled with faces he knew and some he didn’t. The air smelled of fresh coffee from a pot on a side table and the sharp tang of expensive cologne, the room buzzing with a quiet tension, like everyone was holding their breath for something big.
The floor-to-ceiling windows showed off the city skyline, the morning sun glinting off distant skyscrapers, the view almost too perfect for the weight in the room.
At the table sat Dr Rachel Kent, the Medical Director, her sharp eyes behind glasses, her hair pulled into a tight bun that looked like it hadn’t budged in years. She gave him a quick nod, her lips tight but friendly. Next to her was Dr Miriam, Chief of Anesthesiology, Dr Leonard Hayes, Chief of Radiology, leaned back in his chair, his silver hair catching the light, a faint smirk on his face like he knew something good. Dr Nadia Ruiz, the Research Director, was scribbling on a legal pad, her dark eyes flicking up as Devon walked in, a spark of excitement in them.
Professor Julian Croft, the Academic Affairs Lead, sat stiff in his tweed jacket, his gruff nod saying more than words. And Dr Isabella Locke, the Education Coordinator, flashed a warm smile, her blonde curls bouncing as she leaned forward, her energy bright in the heavy room.
These were the people he knew colleagues he’d but across the table were the heavy hitters, folks he’d only seen in polished frames on the walls. Margaret Heller, the Chief Executive Officer, sat with a commanding air, her steel-gray hair cropped short, her piercing blue eyes sizing him up like she was reading his soul. Beside her was James Whitaker, the Chief Operating Officer, his broad frame filling the chair, his jaw set tight, like smiling wasn’t in his job description.
Julia Chen, the Chief Financial Officer, tapped a pen on her tablet, her sleek black hair falling over one shoulder, her face blank but her eyes sharp. Robert Kline, the Chief Compliance Officer, adjusted his glasses, his thin lips pressed into a line and Priya Sharma, the Chief Information Officer, leaned forward, her dark eyes curious, like she was already piecing something together.
Seeing them all here together sent a quick jolt of surprise through Devon, his brows knitting for a split second before he smoothed it out with a polite nod.
The head of the table was empty, like it was waiting for someone who called the shots maybe the hospital president. Devon glanced at it, his curiosity burning, but he kept his face cool as he took his seat, the leather creaking soft under his weight. The room’s occupants stood quick as he came in, a sign of respect, their voices mixing in a low hum of hellos.
"Devon, good to see you this early," Rachel said, her tone professional but warm, like she meant it. "Morning, Devon. Grab a chair," Isabella added, her calm voice steady as ever. "Come on in, we’ve been waiting," Dr Leonard said, his silver hair glinting as he leaned forward. "Sit down, good to have you," Dr Ruiz chimed in, her pen pausing on her pad. "Morning, Devon," Professor Croft grumbled, his tweed jacket rustling as he shifted. "Coffee’s over there if you’re feeling it," Dr Isabella offered, her smile bright, pointing to a steaming pot on a side table with a stack of white mugs.
Devon nodded back, his voice smooth and easy. "Morning, everyone. Thanks for the warm welcome. I’ll pass on the coffee for now." He sat, the leather cool under him, his eyes scanning the room, catching the faint smiles on the new faces. Heller, Whitaker, Chen, Kline, and Sharma. Their smiles felt like they were hiding something, like they knew a punchline he hadn’t heard yet.
The room settled, the tension thick but quiet, like the air before a thunderstorm. Dr Ruiz spoke first, her voice clear and sharp, cutting through the hum. "Devon, we all owe you a huge thank-you for the Aerothrax mess. Your fast thinking and that machine you rolled out saved the hospital from going under, lives, our reputation, the whole deal. We could’ve been toast without you."
Dr Miriam nodded, her calm eyes steady. "It was smart work, Devon. Really. The way you turned it around so fast, pretty damn impressive."
Dr Leonard leaned in, his hair shining in the sunlight. "Yeah, Doc, you pulled us out of a deep hole. That toxin had us on the ropes, and you came through like a champ."
Dr Ruiz smiled, her pen tapping her pad. "Your research angle on that cure, pure genius. We’ve got labs tearing it apart now, trying to make more. You gave us a head start."
Professor Croft grunted, his voice rough but warm. "Good work, Devon."
Dr Isabella smile was all warmth. "And the staff, the patients, they’re all singing your name. You’re a hero around here, Devon, whether you like it or not."
Devon leaned back, his hands flat on the table, his voice humble but sure. "I appreciate the kind words, but it was just what needed doing. The team at Blissville made it happen once the cure was there. I just got it to them, made sure it worked." He paused, his eyes flicking around the table. "But let’s cut to it, what’s this meeting about?"
Margaret Heller, the CEO, leaned forward, her blue eyes locking on his like lasers. "Don’t play it down, Devon. You did what most couldn’t. That’s why we’re all here today." Her voice had a weight that made the room go quiet, the others exchanging quick looks, their faces showing excitement and something else, a secret vibe Devon couldn’t quite pin down.
James Whitaker nodded, his big frame shifting in his chair. "Yeah, today and every other day is all about you, man. You’re the star of this show."
Julia Chen tapped her pen, her voice cool but pointed. "You saved us a ton of cash too. A shutdown like that? It would’ve cost us millions. You kept the numbers green."
Michael Kline fixed his glasses, his tone dry. "And compliance-wise, you kept us clean. No violations, no messes for me to clean up. That’s rare."
Priya Sharma leaned in, her dark eyes sharp. "Our info systems held up because of your quick moves. No data lost, no breaches. You made my job easy."
Devon’s brow furrowed a bit more, his fingers tapping once on the table, his voice calm but direct. "Okay, so what’s the real deal? Why am I here?" He looked around, catching the secret smiles on the new faces, their eyes glinting like they were in on something he wasn’t.
It was starting to get under his skin, the way they all seemed to know more than him.
Rachel Kent smiled, her glasses catching the light. "Hold tight, Devon. We’re waiting for someone. Once they show up, it’ll all make sense. Promise."
Dr Miriam nodded, her calm voice reassuring. "Yeah, just a little patience. You’ll see what’s up soon."
Dr Leonard chuckled, leaning back. "Trust me, Doc, it’s worth the wait. You’re gonna like this."
Dr Ruiz grinned, her pen pausing. "Or at least, it’ll be interesting. Hang in there."
Professor Croft grunted again. "They’re right, Aldridge. Big things coming. Just sit tight."
Dr Isabella smile was bright as ever. "You’re gonna be glad you showed up, Devon. This is big."
The others Heller, Whitaker, Chen, Kline, Sharma nodded, their faces holding that same knowing look, their smiles almost teasing, like they were enjoying keeping him in the dark. Devon opened his mouth to push harder, his curiosity sharp as a knife, when heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway outside, each step strong and deliberate, like someone who owned the damn place before they even walked in. The room went dead quiet, heads turning to the door, everyone straightening up, their faces shifting to full-on focus. Devon’s pulse kicked up a notch, his eyes narrowing as he followed their gaze, his hand pausing on the table.
The door swung open with a slow, heavy creak, and four huge guys in crisp black suits stepped in, their faces blank, their broad shoulders filling the doorway like a wall, bodyguards, no question, built like they could stop a truck.
Everyone in the room stood up fast, chairs scraping soft on the polished floor, their faces showing deep respect, almost like they were facing a queen. Devon stood too, his gut screaming that this was big, his eyes flicking to the empty chair at the head of the table, still untouched, still waiting. The air felt thick, heavy with anticipation, like the whole room was holding its breath as a young woman stepped through the doorway, her presence pulling every eye like a magnet.