Supreme Authority

Chapter 15

Adrian’s lips pressed into a hard line, his chest heaving as he fought to steady himself.

 “Grandfather… she was fine at first. Then Dr. Cole—he gave her the medicine, and her… her vitals dropped.” His voice cracked as he caught the look of disappointment in Lord Miller’s eyes.

Dr. Cole’s hands trembled, sweat dripping down his face as he stammered, “I—I followed the procedure, sir. I… I don’t understand—”

“Silence.” Lord Miller’s voice cut like a blade. His cold stare locked on the doctor as he stepped forward, his presence heavy and suffocating.

“Who are you,” he growled, voice low and dangerous, “to meddle in my granddaughter’s life without knowing the risk?”

Dr. Cole’s face drained of color. His shoulders hunched inward, shrinking beneath the crushing weight of the old man’s wrath.

Lord Miller didn’t wait for his excuse. He snapped his head toward the others. “Where is the healer my sworn brother sent?”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. Hesitation flickered in his eyes, but before he could speak, Cassandra stepped forward.

“Lord Miller,” she said, her tone calm but edged like steel, “the young man beside Jessica’s bed is the healer. His name is Alexander. My grandfather ordered me to personally escort him here.”

She let her words hang for a breath before driving the knife deeper.

“He is also the one who stabilized her vitals when they were seconds away from stopping. And yet…”

Her gaze slashed toward Adrian and Dr. Cole. “…your grandson’s shallow pride nearly killed her. He refused to let Alex work, even as everything collapsed around him.”

Adrian’s face burned red, his fists clenching tight. Dr. Cole stiffened, lips parting as if to speak—but he shut them again. His eyes dropped to the floor, shame and fear etched deep in his expression.

The silence that followed was damning. Everyone knew Cassandra’s words were truth.

Lord Miller turned his dark gaze on his grandson. “Is that true?”

Adrian’s lips trembled. No denial came. His eyes darted between Alex and Cassandra, her sharp, unyielding stare cutting straight through him.

A memory surfaced—last time he had crossed her, it hadn’t ended well. The warning in her eyes now twisted his gut. The fight drained from him as he looked back at his grandfather.

“You damn fool!” Lord Miller roared, his voice shaking with fury.

“This is why you’re useless! You let your temper control you instead of using your brain. Do you realize you nearly cost your sister her life?!”

His words fell like hammer blows, the air in the room turning heavy and cold. “If you cannot think before you act, then you are nothing but a danger to this family!”

Adrian flinched at the words. A knot formed in his chest, bitter and choking.

“Apologize,” the old man commanded, his tone final and merciless.

Adrian swallowed hard, shame burning through him. His pride begged him to keep silent, but his grandfather’s command left no room to resist.

“I… was wrong,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes fixed on the floor. “I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I shouldn’t have yelled. I—” He choked on the words, then forced them out. “I’m sorry… for what I said, for what I did. It won’t happen again.”

From the corner, Alex watched in silence. He saw the fists clenched at Adrian’s sides, the tight jaw, the stiffness in every word. There was no sincerity—only obedience. Still, Alex said nothing.

Lord Miller’s eyes shifted from his grandson to Dr. Cole. His voice dropped into a deadly calm. “Men. Remove him from my sight.”

Two of the guards stepped forward without hesitation.

Dr. Cole’s face went pale. His breath hitched. “Wait—please, wait! I was trying to save her! I swear I didn’t mean for this to happen!”

His voice broke as the guards seized him by the arms. “It’s not my fault! Please, give me another chance—she’s still alive, I can fix it—I can—”

“Enough.” Lord Miller’s tone was pure ice. “You nearly killed my granddaughter. You will pay for it.”

The guards yanked him toward the door, their grip ironclad. Dr. Cole thrashed against them, his cries turning frantic. “No! I can explain! Please, Lord Miller—don’t do this—I have a family! I’m begging you!”

Lord Miller didn’t even glance his way. “Get him out. Now.”

The heavy door slammed shut behind them, muffling Dr. Cole’s desperate screams. Silence swept through the room like a blade.

Lord Miller turned his sharp gaze on Alex, studying him with slow, deliberate intensity. “You’re younger than I expected,” he said finally, his tone heavy with authority.

“Understand this—my household does not forgive failure. But since my sworn brother sent you, I will trust his word. No one will interfere with you now. Do your work. Ensure nothing happens to my granddaughter.”

Alex tilted his head, his eyes locking with Lord Miller’s. His voice came calm, almost too calm. “Then hear me clearly. If you want my help, don’t mistake me for a servant. I’m here to save her life, not to take orders.”

The air thickened. Adrian’s head whipped toward him, disbelief etched across his face. Did this man just defy Lord Miller? Even Cassandra’s brows furrowed, her expression caught between admiration and alarm.

The silence stretched until it became unbearable. Lord Miller’s stare bored into Alex, unflinching, measuring.

Then, to everyone’s shock, his stern mask cracked. A deep laugh rumbled from his chest. “Ha! My sworn brother told me you were peculiar. Now I see why.”

He stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with something like respect, and clapped Alex firmly on the shoulder. “Very well, Alexander. Do it your way.”