The Amazing Doctor Sterling

Chapter 6

At seven o’clock the next morning, the executive boardroom of City Hospital was already packed.

George walked into the room wearing his tailored charcoal suit, his medical ID badge clipped to his lapel. The long mahogany table was surrounded by twelve members of the hospital board, all whispering anxiously. At the far end of the table sat Dr. Webber, his forehead shining with sweat.

Right beside Webber sat a man George hadn't expected to see so soon: Richard Vance, Tiffany’s uncle and the chief financial officer of the regional medical supplier, Vance Biotech.

"Ah, Dr. Sterling," Dr. Webber said, standing up quickly and gesturing to the empty chair at the head of the table. "Please, sit. We have... a delicate administrative crisis to address."

George sat down, resting his folded hands on the table. "Good morning, Dr. Webber. Mr. Vance. I assume this meeting concerns Dr. Dean?"

Richard Vance leaned forward, his sharp, hawk-like eyes fixing on George. Richard was a man who ruled through intimidation and financial pressure; he had long despised George for refusing to sign exclusive hospital contracts with Vance Biotech’s overpriced surgical supplies.

"It concerns the reputation of this institution, George," Richard said coldly. "Vincent Dean was arrested on public television last night. The media is calling City Hospital a haven for narcotics abuse. Our stock dropped six points this morning."

"Dr. Dean’s criminal behavior is his own responsibility," George said calmly. "The police have his pharmacy logs. The matter is in the hands of the District Attorney."

"Is it?" Richard sneered. He slid a thick manila folder across the table toward George. "Because according to Vincent’s statement to his bail bondsman this morning, you were the one who poured that wine in Suite 402. He is alleging that you laced his drink to eliminate your primary rival for the Chief of Surgery position."

The board members murmured, exchanging nervous glances.

George didn't open the folder. He didn't blink. He had anticipated they would try to spin the narrative.

"Dr. Dean is facing seven years in federal prison," George replied smoothly. "A desperate man will say anything to shift the blame. But if you are questioning my integrity, Mr. Vance, perhaps we should look at the hospital’s procurement ledgers."

Richard stiffened. "What does procurement have to do with this?"

George reached into his leather briefcase and pulled out a slim, encrypted tablet. He tapped the screen and projected a spreadsheet onto the boardroom’s main wall monitor.

"During my review of Dr. Dean’s surgical cases over the past six months," George said, his voice ringing clearly through the quiet room, "I noticed a curious pattern. In eighty percent of his cardiovascular bypass surgeries, Dr. Dean requisitioned prosthetic heart valves exclusively from Vance Biotech."

Richard’s face darkened. "We are an approved hospital vendor!"

"You are," George agreed. "However, Vance Biotech valves cost forty percent more than the industry standard, and their clinical failure rate is three percent higher. Yet, Dr. Dean consistently bypassed the hospital’s primary supplier to order from you. Furthermore, financial records show that Vance Biotech paid a monthly 'consulting retainer' of fifteen thousand dollars directly into an offshore account owned by Dr. Vincent Dean."

The room erupted into shocked gasps. Dr. Webber turned pale, staring at the screen. "Richard... is this true? You were kicking back commissions to Vincent?"

"It’s a lie!" Richard shouted, slamming his hand on the table as he stood up. "Those consulting fees were entirely legal for biomedical research! You are fabricating a conspiracy, George!"

"The IRS financial crimes division can determine its legality," George said coldly. He stood up, buttoning his suit coat. "As the new Head of the Medical Board, my first official act is an emergency audit of all Vance Biotech supply contracts. Effective immediately, City Hospital is freezing all pending orders with your firm until the federal investigation is complete."

"You can't do that!" Richard roared, his veins bulging in his neck. "We supply half your surgical wings! You’ll paralyze the hospital!"

"We have already secured an alternative supply line at standard market cost," a cool woman's voice said from the doorway.

The boardroom doors opened. Elena Maxwell walked in, followed by two corporate attorneys. She looked impeccable in a sharp navy dress suit, her eyes icy as she looked at Richard Vance.

"The Maxwell Group has authorized an immediate five-million-dollar credit line to cover the transition to a new supplier," Elena stated, walking to George’s side. "City Hospital no longer requires Vance Biotech’s overpriced hardware. If you have a complaint, Mr. Vance, my legal team is ready to receive your formal filing."

Richard stood frozen, surrounded by hostile eyes. He looked at Elena, then turned a murderous glare toward George. He realized he had walked into a trap. George hadn't just removed Vincent; he was systematically cutting the Vance family’s financial roots out of the hospital.

"You think you’ve won, boy?" Richard hissed, leaning over the table toward George. "You think having a billionaire heiress holding your leash makes you untouchable? Tiffany told me who you really are,an arrogant, naive fool who doesn't know his own depth."

"Get out of my hospital, Richard," George said quietly.

Richard gritted his teeth, grabbed his manila folder, and stormed out of the boardroom, slamming the door behind him.