The Supreme Chairman

Chapter 4: At The Hospital

“I’m sorry I came this late, you've suffered enough and it all ends soon, your surgery has been paid for now, you'll get the transplant and right after you recover I'll give you the perfect life.”

Kael stayed beside her for almost twenty minutes quietly holding her hand, the room remained silent except for the soft sounds coming from the machines beside the bed.

Knock… Knock…

A soft knock suddenly came from the door before it slowly opened, then Nurse Reene walked in quietly and lowered her voice.

“Time is up, Kael.”

Kael looked at his mother for a few more seconds before nodding slowly, he carefully stood up and leaned down, kissing Elaris gently on the forehead.

“I’ll be back soon, mom,” he whispered softly.

Then he turned around and walked toward Reene. When he stopped in front of her, he suddenly reached out and held her hand.

“Thank you Reene.”

Reene looked surprised for a moment, her eyes dropped to his hand before she looked back at him and smiled softly.

“We’re friends right?” she said gently. “Anything for you.”

Kael nodded slightly after hearing that, for the first time that night, a faint genuine smile appeared on his face. Without wasting time, he turned around and walked out of the room. He walked to the hospital lobby where he was about to walk out when he suddenly heard his name from behind.

It was Reene again, she had already removed her gloves and was walking toward him quickly.

“Are you leaving already?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Kael said, nodding lightly.

“Well, my shift is almost over too, can you wait for me so we leave together? Just ten minutes.”

Kael smiled faintly and nodded. “That’s not a problem, I’ll wait.”

Then he lowered his eyes slightly and muttered softly to himself.

“Not like I even have anywhere to go anyway, I’ll probably just book a hotel room tonight and sleep properly.”

Reene didn’t hear that part clearly. “I’ll be back then,” she said with a smile before quickly turning around and walking away.

…….

Meanwhile at the Voss family villa, Magnus Voss’s birthday party had finally come to an end.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday with me tonight,” he said proudly. “And thank you for all the wonderful gifts as well.”

Many guests smiled politely and responded back to him.

“Well then, the party has officially ended,” he announced. “Everyone should head home safely.”

Soon, the guests slowly began leaving the villa and not long after, the large hall became much quieter.

Now only Magnus Voss, his wife Elowen Voss, the old Madam Voss and Lyra’s two cousins remained there.

Elowen looked at the massive pile of expensive, glittering gifts nearby and smiled happily with greed.

“These gifts are incredibly expensive, If we sell some of these rare watches and antique wines, that’s going to be excellent cash for the family.”

Magnus frowned deeply upon hearing her words.

“Why cash for the family?” he scoffed, crossing his arms defensively. “It’s cash for me, Isn’t it my birthday and my gifts?”

The old Madam Voss slowly turned her piercing gaze toward him, leaning heavily on her walking stick.

“Magnus, you know the family business has not been doing well lately.” She glanced at the gifts.

“The money from these can be reinvested into the business for proper gains.”

“But mom, I—”

“My words are final,” the old woman said coldly, cutting him off instantly.

Magnus could only stay quiet after hearing that. Just at that moment, footsteps came from the staircase. Everyone turned and saw Lyra Voss walking downstairs with a straight expression on her beautiful face.

The moment she reached the living room, her eyes moved around slightly as if searching for someone, but she did not see him.

“Has Kael not returned yet?” she suddenly asked.

The room became quiet for a second, everyone looked at her in surprise.

“Kael?” Elowen frowned immediately. “He was kicked out, why on earth are you expecting him to return?”

Grandma Voss also looked highly confused. “Why should he ever return to this house, Lyra? Didn’t you finally do what all of us have wanted for years?”

Lyra shook her head lightly.

“Grandma, I only said those things because I was angry,” she replied softly before looking outside through the large window.

“It’s already 10:31 p.m and he’s still not back, where would he even sleep at this time?” A worried look slowly appeared on her face.

“You all know the streets in Velmoris are dangerous at night, so what if something bad happens to him?”

A heavy, suffocating silence settled over Lyra as she looked down at her right palm. It still stung slightly from the force of the slap she had delivered to Kael’s face. She had been so consumed by the mocking laughter of the guests that she hadn't paused to think. She had completely ignored his plea, choosing her family's pride.

“Bullshit,” Grandma Voss said coldly, her walking stick hitting the floor lightly.

“What value does Kael even bring to this family apart from eating our expensive food and being sheltered? Does he bring a single dime of revenue into this family? No. So why are you suddenly wasting your worry on him?”

Lyra frowned immediately, turning around to face her family.

“Grandma, he’s still legally my husband, and everyone in Velmoris's high society knows Kael lives under our roof. If something terrible happens to him outside tonight, the public backlash will ruin the Voss family’s reputation too.”

“Lyra.” Elowen stepped closer to her daughter, placing a comforting hand on her arm.

“You’re overthinking things, Kael is not your real husband. You are still practically single and unmarried in the eyes of high society.” Her eyes drifted toward Lyra’s bare fingers.

“Do you even wear a wedding ring? No, everything about this marriage is just a forced facade. That boy is beneath you.”

“Yes sis, Aunt is right,” Zevrik Voss, Lyra's male cousin, suddenly said with a laugh.

“Yes, sis, Aunt Elowen is totally right,” Zevrik Voss, Lyra's male cousin, suddenly chimed in with a mocking laugh.

“You’re this beautiful and talented, a true goddess. What exactly can that lowly, penniless guy offer you? Nothing, honestly, I still don’t understand why Grandpa forced you to marry someone like Kael Draven, bringing endless shame to our lineage.”

“You shut up,” Lyra snapped instantly, her cold eyes landing on him.

Zevrik froze, the laugh dying in his throat. “Sis, I was only—”

“I said shut up,” Lyra repeated sharply, cutting him off completely. “How dare you interfere in my personal life?”

“Lyra,” Grandma Voss barker with displeasure as she slowly stood up,

“Zevrik is your cousin, watch the way you speak to your own blood. You and that worthless live-in-son-in-law aren't married for real; a single signature on a divorce paper is enough to break you both apart forever. Is Kael more important to you than your own family?”