One week later
"Will the jury please stand and raise your right hand?" The Clark instructed, and the appropriate body stood up to their feet.
"Now repeat after me, say I and insert your name please," He instructed them, and they did accordingly. "Swear that the evidence and the instructions of the court will I execute, so help you, God."
When they were done, they all returned to their sit.
Petra was nervous, it had been one week since she treated Mrs. Walker, and the latter was becoming better as the days went by.
The public prosecutor stood to his feet, clearing his throat and adjusting his tie. He said;
"Your Honor and ladies permission of the owner. The evidence will show that a Lethal Injection was given to my client's husband, the late Thomas Wayne. He was a well-respected man in society and very Influential at that. I put it to your honor that Mrs. Petra here killed this man because he had divorced her!"
Petra couldn't believe that people would be so cruel as to put her in a situation like this.
"May the accuse stand before the Jury," The judge instructed, causing Petra to stand to her feet. She was nervous seeing the stern look from the eyes of the jury. They all looked like they could eat her anytime soon.
"Do you plead guilty to the charges that the prosecuting attorney has stated?"
"Not guilty!" She turned to look at Sonia, to know if she had made the correct statement, with the latter raising her thumbs.
"Alright, you may have your seat" She sat down appropriately.
"May the defense council stand and make their presence known?" The judge instructed, Sonia stood up with so much grace to her feet, clearing her throat, and said;
"Thank you, your honor, and my name is Albert Sonia, attorney for the accused. Your honor, we stand to state vehemently that the accused has been charged on false ground. The jury should understand that the prosecution has to prove with our any doubt that she is guilty, and I find it important to say that they haven't done exactly that."
"My Lord, over the next few weeks to come, we will ensure that every single allegation laid will be diffused with appropriate facts and evidence that will be admitted before the Jury" Sonia finished off and sat down.
"Having listened to both councils, we at this moment adjourn this case till next month for proper address!" The judge struck the gavel, and everyone stood up appropriately and watched the judge leave.
Petra could only but hope that this case goes in her favor. The outrageous amount that Megan asserted to get from her as financial damages were alarming. She turned to see Megan leaving the hall with a wicked smirk on her face.
***
Today was the board meeting, and every doctor was in attendance as Mrs. Walker had announced how important the meeting was.
When Petra walked in, she could feel the hate coming out from some of the doctors that had their eyes on her, and she wished it could just get over.
Ever since she successfully carried out the operation on Mrs. Walker, she had been receiving the same cold attitude from some of them, except for Matts and probably Hernandez, who she had captured his faith back on her.
The door opened, and everyone raised as Mrs. Walker was ushered into her seat. The moment she sat down, everyone sat down appropriately as they waited for her to speak.
"Greetings, everyone!" They all responded with the same cheerful tone that she had used in greeting them.
"Indeed, it is a happy day, and I am glad to be here with you all. Never have I believed that I would survive, but then, I guess it is not my time yet," Mrs. Walker stated, looking from right to left and then again.
"Now, as you may all know, my days of being CEO of this prestigious hospital are coming to an end, and so it is appropriate that I hand over to someone capable of running this hospital with diligence and commitment."
Petra was half-heartedly interested in the speech as she already believed that Hernandez would take over.
"If there is anything I crave about, it is the security and life of the people. Let me start by reviewing some things occurring in the hospital that have been less talked about. Last night, I couldn't sleep, and so, I asked my secretary to mail me the reviews of some of the patient that has been treated, and the response I got was shocking."
The entire hallway was quiet as they listened to her speak.
"I was surprised to realize that certain systematic deaths have been reoccurring, even aftermath of the most controversial one," She stated, turning her gaze to Petra.
"A young child, who happened to be related with one of our very own, die, and they all died from one thing, as revealed by the autopsy report; Lethal injection,"
There was murmuring in the hall.
"This is horrendous and remotely not of good reputation to the hospital, which is why I have called on my private investigator to look into the issue and bring me back a positive response."
Petra could only hope that they get to the root of the issue.
"Let me use this opportunity to thank Hernandez for his hard work, diligent dealings, and other activities that have made the hospital keep on growing. I know that your reward days are coming" Davis bowed in courtesy.
"How will I also forget my beloved surgeon, the only Cardiothoracic surgeon that has been able to cure lung cancer for years now successfully. Petra, I need you to understand that you have a special place in my heart, and your reward also awaits you in a few minutes."
Petra bowed her head in courtesy as she felt someone's eye boring hole on her. She turned to discover that it was none other than Mitchell.
"Now I know you all are eager to hear the news about who the next CEO of this hospital would be, but before then, I want you all to understand something, I didn't build this hospital in one day; my late father did. It took years of hard work and support from my husband to get to this stage today. We faced many difficulties, but in the end, we came through. I am certain that he would be up there smiling at the achievements I have made," Mrs. Walker stated, using the handkerchief in her hands to dab her face.
Petra felt emotional hearing the speech from her, and there were undoubtedly vast similarities between them.
"Any questions before I proceed to the announcement?" Several hands were raised, and that included Hernandez too.
"Let's start with Doctor frank" Mrs. Walker knew all her doctor's names by heart and could tell which was from which, at any given time.
"Ma'am, I wish to know, the ongoing project at Alabama, when would it end, people over there are in dire need of a hospital, as there have been several reports of an ongoing epidemic there."
"Once the new CEO is on board, he or she would be the one to decide, but I believe it would be done soon."
Petra took note of how Mrs. Walker has been able to avoid mentioning the specific gender that would take over the hospital.
"Over to you, Hernandez. I am sorry if I cannot take all the questions. I am still not hundred percent okay. I need rest," Mrs. Walker indicated, and everyone nodded in understanding.
"So once again, I am happy to be here to witness this great handover, and I am certain that the right candidate would do what needs to be done for the hospital. I am not here to ask a question but to make a comment. To everyone seated here, we should all understand that as professionals, we have to keep personal issues aside and focus on the main goal. That is all I have for now."
Everyone, including Petra, clapped as some mumbled the statement 'next CEO' to him. Hernandez smiled in return.
"Alright, having listened to everything, I am here to announce that the new CEO of this great hospital is none other than my child!"
There was a look of confusion as Mrs. Walker announced it.
"But ma'am, if I know clearly what you are saying, you have a child?" Davis asked, a look of confusion gazing on his face as well.
"Yes, and my child is right here in our mist!" She said with a bright smile.
"Your child is here?" Everyone mutters in shock. Whispering was the daily feed of the ears. Everyone was looking at one another to know who this mystery child was.
"She's here with us!" Mrs. Walker added.
"Your child is a she?" Davis muttered in panic.
"Yes!" She smiles. "Please, can you stand up for them to see you? Petra Hills." She finally dropped the massive bomb.
"Petra Hills?" Everyone whimpered in surprise.