Chapter 2 - The Surgeon's Secret
The conservatory plunged into a heavy, suffocating silence.
Dominic stared at the young woman in the torn maid's uniform, processing the massive revelation.
A cardiothoracic surgeon hiding in his house, indebted to his enemies.
"Who do you owe the money to?" Dominic asked, his voice deceptively calm.
Hannah looked up, her gray eyes filled with a terrified, exhausting resignation.
"Arthur Sterling," she answered quietly.
Dominic felt a muscle twitch in his jaw.
Arthur Sterling was the head of the most ruthless rival syndicate in Chicago.
He was also the powerful uncle of Vanessa Whitmore, Dominic's fiancée.
"Arthur ruined my medical career to force me into his debt," Hannah explained, her voice cracking.
"He fabricated malpractice lawsuits until I lost my license and my life savings."
"He told me I could work off the debt by infiltrating your household staff and ensuring your mother's 'natural' passing."
Eleanor scoffed from her chair, looking entirely unbothered by the assassination plot.
"That arrogant fool always preferred poison to bullets," Eleanor muttered.
Dominic turned his sharp gaze back to Hannah.
"If you were sent here to kill her, why did you stop Vanessa from delivering the poison tonight?"
Hannah stood taller, a spark of fierce defiance returning to her eyes.
"Because I am a doctor, Mr. Moretti."
"I took an oath to save lives, not take them."
"I would rather let Arthur Sterling kill me than become a murderer for him."
Dominic studied her for a long moment, recognizing the absolute, undeniable truth in her words.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his encrypted cell phone.
"Walter," Dominic said as soon as the steward answered.
"Pack Miss Reed's belongings from the staff quarters immediately."
Hannah felt a sudden, cold wave of panic wash over her.
"Please, sir, if you throw me out, Sterling's men will kill me before sunrise," she begged.
"I am not throwing you out, Doctor Reed," Dominic corrected her smoothly.
"Walter is moving your belongings into the secure guest suite in the west wing."
"You are officially my mother's new private physician, and you will not leave my sight."
Hannah let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Before she could thank him, a loud, frantic pounding echoed from the main entrance of the mansion.
Dominic drew his weapon and signaled for Hannah to stay with his mother.
He walked swiftly down the hall and opened the heavy oak doors.
Vanessa Whitmore was standing on the front steps, drenched in freezing rain, crying hysterically.
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"Dominic, please, you have to help me," Vanessa sobbed, throwing herself into his arms.
"Arthur found out the maid stopped the poison, and he just put a hit out on both of us."
