My Client Is the Man They Fear

1.

Five years ago, my stepsister, Annabelle, burst into my life. She was a master at charming my father, and soon, even my fianc was captivated by her. Once, to force me to tend to Annabelle's injury, Father ordered someone to cut off my mother's oxygen supply during surgery. I bit back my fury and bandaged Annabelles wound, but she turned around and accused me of deliberately pressing down hard on it. My fianc, without hearing me out, cursed me for being vicious and unethical, then roughly pushed me away. He had me locked in our marital suite, saying I wasnt allowed out until I apologized. That night, under the cover of darkness, I jumped from the window and fled the country.

Today, five years later, I was invited back to the States to treat an important figure. But the moment I stepped off the plane, I was intercepted by men sent by my father and ex-fianc. They tried to forcibly take me to treat Annabelle, whose old illness had relapsed C a chilling replay of five years ago. But what they didnt know was that the person who invited me back was someone they absolutely couldnt afford to cross.

Perhaps because I was wearing sunglasses, the man leading the groupmy fathers confidant, a man Id known as Uncle Arthur for twenty-odd yearsdidnt recognize me. He spoke with respectful indifference, "I heard a highly skilled doctor was returning on this flight. You must be Dr. Stone, the specialist. Our young lady's old illness has flared up again. We'd appreciate it if you'd come with us."

"Why should we? Do you have any idea who invited Dr. Stone? Hijacking someone at the airportis there no law and order anymore?" My assistant, Amy, loudly challenged him, pulling out her phone to contact our client.

Uncle Arthur smacked the phone out of her hand. "Law and order? My apologies for not introducing ourselves properly to Dr. Stone. The people asking for you are not ordinary citizens. They are the Thompsons and the Parkers, influential families in Harrington."

"We're not familiar with Dr. Stone's background, but you," Uncle Arthur looked at Amy, "you're a local. You've lived here for twenty-two years. Surely you've heard of the Thompsons and the Parkers."

Amy gasped, pulling my arm and whispering, "They're the ones"

"I know. It's fine." I cut her off, then addressed Uncle Arthur. "What if I refuse?"

"Then you still don't understand. To be blunt, the person you are to treat is the only daughter of the Thompson family, and she is also the fiance of the Parker family heir. Regardless of your purpose for coming to Harrington, the Thompsons and Parkers have their ways."

"So, Dr. Stone, there's no need to struggle." With that, he signaled to the bodyguards beside him. One of them immediately reached for my surgical instrument case. In the struggle, the case flew open, scattering instruments across the floor. I rushed to retrieve them, but could only watch in horror as they were trampled underfoot, broken into a thousand pieces.

I was furious, shouting at them, "Those are my custom surgical tools! Without them, how am I supposed to operate?"

Uncle Arthur sneered. "Don't worry, Dr. Stone. What surgical tools can't we buy? The hospital has a full set of equipment ready, just waiting for you."

Buy a damn thing, my rage flared. How could he know that my hand had been broken in a shove, then immediately locked away, missing the best treatment window? Because of that, I spent two years abroad in grueling rehabilitation before I could even pick up a scalpel again. Later, I treated the family member of an international magnate, who specially commissioned a complete set of custom surgical instruments for me at great expense. Even a single pair of forceps cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. And this wasn't just a matter of money. Without them, how could I perform surgery on my client? The thought of that venerable old man having to suffer for a few more days made my teeth ache with anger.

Amy was sobbing hysterically, crying out, "Dr. Stone, what do we do? What do we do?" Uncle Arthur glared at her impatiently. "Now is not the time for your wailing. If you continue to drag your feet and delay Miss Thompson's treatment, the Thompsons and Parkers will make sure you both disappear without a trace."

I scoffed, "Oh really?"

"Of course. For Miss Thompson's sake, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Parker would give anything. They once, for her, even" Uncle Arthur trailed off, a sigh escaping him as his tone softened. "Dr. Stone, you're both young. Be sensible."

"They once, for her, had one kill his own wife, and the other harm and imprison his ex-fiance?" I finished his unspoken sentence.

"Dr. Stone, what are you talking about?" Amy asked, confused. The men opposite me froze.

"Uncle Arthur, do you remember me?" I took off my sunglasses.

2.

"Miss... Miss Thompson?" Uncle Arthur tentatively stepped forward, carefully scrutinizing my face. Confirming it was truly me, he said, "Mr. Thompson asked me to bring you back." His tone had changed quickly. I ignored him, took Amy's hand, and prepared to leave.

"Miss Thompson, stop right there." He shouted, and the bodyguards once again surrounded us. "Miss Thompson knows Mr. Thompson's temper. If you insist on leaving, please don't make things difficult for us. Allow me to report to Mr. Thompson." He pulled out his phone and called my father. "Dr. Stone is indeed Miss Lillian, yes, she's alive. It's true. Good." He handed the phone to me. "Mr. Thompson wants to speak with you."

I didn't move, so he had to put it on speakerphone. My father's voice came through. "So they were talking about you, Dr. Stone. I thought you had died when you jumped from the window that year. It seems you simply ran away."

"If you had stayed by Annabelle's side, she wouldn't have relapsed. This is your fault. Come back and make amends." His tone held no joy at my being alive, only an unyielding command.

I chuckled softly. "Mr. Thompson, even if you control everything in Harrington, I do not fear your power. I have other commitments. I regret that I cannot treat your beloved daughter."

"Lillian Thompson, I am your father." The static of the phone crackled in my ear. I laughed lightly. "Mr. Thompson, you're mistaken. I am Lillian Stone. I have no relation to you."

"Besides, Annabelle is the only daughter of the Thompson family. How could you possibly have another daughter?"

The phone went silent for a moment, save for the sound of heavy breathing. When I was twenty-four, I successfully completed a highly complex, high-profile surgery in my field. At the celebration, Annabelle burst in, claiming to be the daughter of my father and his first love. Father took her to his study. I don't know what they discussed. When they emerged, I had a stepsister.

Everyone offered congratulations and flattery, praising Father as a decisive and passionate man. No one cared about my anger or my mother's forced smile. My mother advised me, "Annabelle's mother only found out she was pregnant later. It's rare that she knew your father was married and didn't try to break up our family. Besides, Annabelle is innocent. Her mother has passed away, and she is seriously ill. Let's not dwell on the past."

I knew that besides being kind-hearted, my mother was primarily thinking of me. She worried that my father and I would turn against each other because of this. To put her at ease, I conceded step by step. Annabelle said she grew up in poverty, so Father told me to give her my clothes and jewelry. Annabelle said my room was suitable for recuperation, so Father told me to vacate it immediately. Annabelle said she was afraid of going to the hospital and always forgot to take her medicine. So Father told me to arrange everything for her, reminding her to take her medicine three times a day.

Finally, when she changed her surname back to her father's, she refused to share any characters with my name. "My mom named me Annabelle, hoping I'd be safe. Now, my sister's name also has 'Ann' in it. So whose safety is this?"

Father still asked me to be understanding. I couldn't bear it any longer. "My mother also named me. Why should I make concessions for your illegitimate daughter?"

"Annabelle is right, you really do look down on her." Father ignored my objections and bribed the staff. My name changed from Annabelle Thompson to Lillian Thompson. After going abroad, I simply took my mother's surname. Since he wanted to change it, I might as well give him back the surname altogether.

Father was silent for a long moment, then finally said in a low voice, "Keep an eye on her," before hanging up. Uncle Arthur's men stared menacingly. We stood in a silent standoff in the airport terminal.

A few minutes later, a trembling voice broke the stillness. "Lillian, is that really you?"

3.

The next second, I was held tightly in a trembling embrace. Brandon Parker's eyes were bloodshot. "You're alive, you're really alive."

I pushed him away, my voice cold. "Once, I couldn't stop my fianc from holding another woman, but I can refuse another's fianc from holding me. Mr. Parker, please have some self-respect."

He stiffened, releasing me, his question laced with angry embarrassment. "Lillian, how heartless you are. Five years, a whole five years without a single word from you. Why did you secretly leave? Otherwise, we would have been married by now. If you had just taken care of Annabelle, with her healthy and our family living harmoniously, wouldn't that have been better? Why couldn't you tolerate her? Why did you play games with us?"

I looked at the face I had loved for so many years and felt a wave of nausea. I remember the day Annabelle appeared. He held me in his arms, saying that even though I wasn't Father's only daughter, I would be his only love. Whatever Annabelle took from me, he would buy me double. When Annabelle moved into my bedroom, he discussed our wedding date with Father, hoping I would have my own home soon.

So, when I refused to change my name, he also asked me why I was targeting Annabelle. I couldn't help but wonder if his heart had changed. His face suddenly shifted. He said my thoughts were twisted, that he merely pitied Annabelle's similar fate. I deflated, because he, too, was initially an unacknowledged child of the Parker family. His heavily pregnant mother was driven out by the elder Mrs. Parker. He was only recognized because the Parker family's lineage was dwindling. I had no intention of opening Brandon's old wounds.

To apologize, I booked the most expensive hotel and stayed up all night for a week planning his birthday. When I arrived at the hotel, I only received a call from him. "Lillian, thinking about the past, I suddenly don't feel like celebrating my birthday. I'm sorry." I had no choice but to cancel, apologizing to each invited friend.

Turning around, I saw a party being held in the marital suite he said was still under renovation. Those friends who had been comforting me just minutes before were now shouting "Happy Birthday!" Brandon had his arm around Annabelle's shoulder, their gazes filled with tender affection for each other. My father, standing nearby, looked utterly gratified, as if he had forgotten this man was the fianc of his other daughter.

Now, how could he have the audacity to say he was family with me? To me, he was worse than a stranger.

"Impossible." He looked at me with a half-smile. "Stop lying. You're clearly jealous. How many times have I told you, I only have brotherly affection for Annabelle. If I hadn't thought you were dead, I wouldn't have gotten engaged to her."

"Lillian, as long as you cure Annabelle this time, we'll get married right away."

I couldn't listen anymore, interrupting sharply. "You used your position as a hospital shareholder to block my advancement opportunityan opportunity I'd been looking forward to for three yearsforcing me to operate on Annabelle. You violently shoved me because of her simple slander, causing me to break my right hand. You locked me in a dark room to force me to apologize to Annabelle."

"Brandon, I wish you were dead. How could I ever want to marry you?" My hatred flared. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes, and he quickly reached out to examine my right hand: "I didn't know, I truly didn't know. No, Lillian, you clearly still love me. I checked. You didn't take anything with you when you left, only our engagement ring. If you hadn't been unable to let go you still care, and you're deliberately trying to trick me, aren't you?"

"Enough, Brandon." I shook off his hand. "I didn't take the ring. My finger bone was broken, and it fell off somewhere."

"No, impossible." Brandon shook his head, closing his eyes. "Regardless, you have to come with me now."

"Wake up." I raised my hand to slap him, but it was blocked before it could land. Father had arrived at some point. He sneered.

"Dr. Stone, you say you're not my daughter? Very well." He pointed to my neck. "Explain this then."