The Devil's Contractual Bride-Chapter 31: Voss And Caldwell

Lucian’s POV

"Nurse! Doctor! Anyone!" I screamed again when she collapsed into the bed but no one came.

Alarms shrieked from the monitors, the beeps became insistent that it stabbed through the dim room. Aria’s hand had gone slack in mine again,her chest was rising and falling only because of the ventilator’s mechanical hiss.

Footsteps thundered down the corridor and in less than a minute the door burst open.

Two nurses rushed in first, followed by the same exhausted-looking doctor from earlier. One nurse,a woman with short gray hair and a no-nonsense expression immediately checked the monitors while the other pushed past me to Aria’s side.

"Sir, step back," the gray-haired nurse barked, not looking at me.

"She spoke,I swear it. She grabbed my hand and muttered something before falling unconscious again."

The doctor leaned over Aria, shining a penlight into her eyes, then pressing a stethoscope to her chest. "Pulse ox dropping 92 and falling. Give me 100% O2 and check the ET tube placement."

They worked around me like I was furniture. I stayed rooted, gripping the bed rail until my knuckles whitened.

"Mr. Voss," the doctor said without looking up. "We need space, you’ll have to wait out please."

"She’s coming back," I insisted."I can’t possibly leave her alone."

"Transient arousal," he cut in. "It’s a brief flicker of consciousness in coma patients.She’s not out of coma yet Mr Voss"He glanced at me then. "You did good noticing it but you can’t stay here, we’ll call you back in when we’re done checking her vitals"

The gray-haired nurse placed a hand on my arm firmly. "Sir,please leave."

I shook my head. "I’m not leaving her,not after—"

Another nurse joined "Mr. Voss, we have to stabilize her. You’re causing a nuisance and it’s spiking her heart rate further."

The doctor sighed and turned to the younger nurse. "Get security if necessary but please get him out of here."

That didn’t change my stance,I needed to see what was going on with my wife.

Two orderlies appeared at the door,one stepped forward and held my wrist. "Sir, please come with us."

Rage bubbled "Get your filthy hands off me."

The gray-haired nurse squeezed my arm. "We’re trying to help her, Mr. Voss. Let us do our job.You can wait aside and we’ll update you when she’s stable."

They didn’t wait for agreement. The orderly took my elbow and forcefully guided me out. The doors hissed shut behind me, sealing her in with the beeps and strangers who claim to know what’s best for her

I stood in the hallway for a minute then I quietly made my way to the waiting room and sank into the same plastic chair as before. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Her words echoed continuously in my head"Don’t go,It’s a trap"

Was the note truly a lure? Did Eythan’s people drop it to pull me away from the hospital and leave her vulnerable or was the trap something else, maybe someone waiting at the scene to finish what the truck started?

I pulled out my phone and endless notifications popped up but I paid no heed to it.

I couldn’t sit here doing nothing,not while Ethan was out there smiling for cameras, claiming my wife and my dead baby like trophies.

I dialed my driver. "Marcus,pick me up at the side entrance now."

"On my way, sir. I’ll be there in five minutes."

I slipped out the side door, avoiding the press still camped at the front. Marcus’s black SUV idled in the shadows and I got into the back seat.

"Take me to the accident site on the coastal road,"

He nodded, pulled out smoothly and drove into the city.

A few miles from the coastal road,my phone buzzed. It was my secretary, Clara. I wanted to ignore it but in a second answered on the second ring.

"Mr. Voss." Her voice was shaky. "I’m sorry to call but it’s urgent. The board called an emergency meeting and they’re in session right now."

I sat up straighter. "What? No one informed me."

"Exactly. They’re discussing a potential takeover bid from an outside entity. Rumors are flying that someone’s bought up enough shares to force a vote."

My blood went cold. "Who?"

Clara hesitated. "They won’t name names yet, but the proxy votes are stacking. Your position as CEO is on the line.."

I ended the call.

"Change of plans Marcus, we’re going to the office".

He swung the wheel without question and drove speedingly to the office.

If anyone wants to take over my company,one which I had built with sweat for years and was worth billions. He or she must have to kill me first

I clenched my fists until my nails bit my palms.

The tower loomed ahead and the glass and steel decor came into sight.

Marcus pulled into the underground garage. Security nodded me through as I walked into the building.

I took an elevator up to the 42nd floor.

The boardroom doors were closed, but I could hear voices overlapping coupled with laughter.

I didn’t knock and just shoved the doors open.

The room fell silent.

Twelve faces turned toward me, shareholders, directors and my own legal counsel.

And there, at the far end of the long mahogany table, directly across from my usual chair, surprising yet expected sat Ethan Caldwell.

"Gentlemen," he said smoothly, not rising. "Looks like the CEO has arrived just in time."

I stepped inside and shut the doors.

"What the hell are you doing here Ethan?"

Ethan leaned back with his fingers steepled. "I’m merely participating in a board as a major shareholder, Lucian. There is nothing for you to worry about."

Murmurs rippled around the table. One of the directors cleared his throat. "Mr. Voss, we were just—"

"Save it," I cut in, my eyes locked on Ethan. "This meeting is over."

Ethan’s smile didn’t falter. "I’m afraid not. We have a quorum and a proposal on the table. Care to hear it?"

I crossed the room slowly, each step measured.

I stopped at the edge of the table. "You want a fight, Caldwell? You’ve got one."

His eyes gleamed. "I was hoping you’d say that."