Chereads / BACCARA: It's all an Illusion / Chapter 54 - Chapter 54 - His Way.

Chapter 54 - Chapter 54 - His Way.

Herbert Medicals and Technology

The soft hum of the air conditioning barely penetrated the weight of the silence in the office. The view from the floor-to-ceiling windows was stunning, the skyline gleamed like a jewel under the afternoon sun-but Blaze hardly noticed. His mind was locked on the spreadsheets sprawled across his mahogany desk, numbers blurring into each other.

He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin. The name "Herbert Medical" was a legacy, a crown weighing heavy on his head. The world outside saw a respected CEO, a man of innovation and integrity. But in the shadows, there was another story-his family's story.

The framed photo placed of Blaze's father on the shelf, a stern look etched into his features. He'd built this empire from the ground up, but he'd also forged connections in the underbelly of the city that still whispered in the dark. Blaze'd learned early on that success wasn't just about brilliance; it was about knowing when to show strength and when to conceal it.

As Blaze shuffled papers, the door swung open without a knock. Arthur, his right-hand man plus secretary, stepped in, his expression unreadable. "We've got a problem," he said, closing the door behind him.

"Talk." Blaze leaned forward, the tension in his body coiling like a spring. "There's a woman outside who insists on seeing you. She says it's important."

Blaze looked up, momentarily pulled from his calculations. "A woman? What's her name?"

"Mrs. Rodriguez. She says it's urgent and she wants to see you right now." Arthur informed with the information he got.

"Mrs. Rodriguez?" he repeated, a frown creasing his brow. He'd heard the name whispered in the circles he navigated-her family had connections that ran deep, both in business and darker alleys. "What does she want?"

"Not sure. She wouldn't say, but she seems... persistent though." Arthur said because the woman who had just entered the comapany unannouced seems to be in a rush and willing to do anything to meet Blaze.

Blaze leaned back in his chair, focusing on the papers scattering on the table. "Tell her to get out of my company."

Arthur hesitated and stood there for a moment, watching his boss do his work, he had something to say but was hesitant if his Boss would listen,. "But Boss she seems serious. I think it's about Benjamin"

"Arthur," Blaze interrupted, keeping his tone firm. "I told something to you didn't I? I don't want to deal with her right now. Just tell her to wait in the meeting room if she wants." he continued "But no guarantee if I will see her"

"Alright," Arthur replied, backing out of the office. "I'll let her know."

As he left, Blaze couldn't shake the feeling that something about this Mrs. Rodriguez was off. In this line of work, every encounter had potential repercussions, and he wasn't in the mood for surprises. He turned back to the reports, but his mind drifted. What could she want? And why now?

Blaze dismissed the thought and returned to the numbers, the hum of the city outside fading into the background, focusing instead on the empire he was determined to protect.

HealZone Hospital

Savannah leaned against the cold metal wall of the hospital corridor, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead. Another long day in the OR, and her scrubs were damp with sweat and the remnants of the last surgery. Her hands shook slightly, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. She'd just finished a double bypass on a middle-aged man who'd come in clutching his chest, a near miss that had left her drained.

The sounds of the bustling hospital faded into the background as she took a deep breath. She loved her job-loved the thrill of saving lives-but some days felt heavier than others. Today was one of those days. As she walked to the break room, she replayed the surgery in her mind, analyzing every decision she'd made, every moment of tension. Did she take the right approach? Did she miss anything?

She glanced at her watch, 6 PM. She had an appointment across town, but she needed a moment to collect herself first. "Here you go, Dr. Miller" Bella said with a warm smile as she handed her a cup of black coffee, her eyes bright despite the exhaustion etched on her face. "You earned it."

"Thanks, Bella. You're a lifesaver," Savannah replied, taking a grateful sip. The rich bitterness of the coffee washed over her, igniting her senses and momentarily banishing the fatigue. She could feel the warmth spread through her, grounding her after the chaos of the OR.

"Another long one, huh?" she asked, settling into a chair across from her. Savannah nodded, appreciating her presence. Bella had a way of making the hectic days feel a little lighter, her unwavering support a balm for the stress they all faced.

"You know, it's days like this that make me question my sanity," Savannah admitted, letting out a weary laugh. "How many lives did I save today? And how many more are waiting?"

Bella leaned back, crossing her arms. "You save lives every day, Savannah. That's what you do. But you can't carry it all alone. Just make sure to take care of yourself too."

Just at that moment, Savannah's phone buzzed in her pocket-another reminder about Mrs. Smith, the woman she needed to see. Savannah wasn't even sure what to expect.

"Sure I'll do that later, gotta go for now" Savannah said as he got up from her seat to exit the break room.

With a sigh, Savannah existed the room and steeled herself for the next challenge. First she had to meet with the CEO of Herbert Medical, Blaze. This was a big deal, but she wasn't sure why it felt so daunting. She'd dealt with boardrooms and budgets before, but this was different.

Savannah pushed through the heavy glass doors and made her way to the sleek, modern building of Herbert Medical, her heart racing for more than just the long day she'd had.

As she entered the lobby, she tried to shake off the weight of her scrubs and the day's stress. She was here to advocate for a patient, and she needed to channel all that intensity into something productive. She squared her shoulders and approached the reception desk, ready to confront whatever lay ahead.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Miller. I have an appointment to see Mr. Baldwin about a patient's case."

The receptionist's expression shifted slightly, and Savannah felt a tightening in her chest.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Miller, but Mr. Baldwin is currently busy and won't be able to meet with vou right now."

"Busy?" Savannah repeated, trying to mask her disappointment. "Is there any way you could check if he can make a few minutes for me? It's urgent."

He typed rapidly on his computer, his brows furrowing. "I understand, but he's having a really important meetings right now, it may take some more hours. I can take a message if you'd like."

Frustration bubbled up inside her, but she forced herself to remain calm. "No, I really need to speak with him directly. It's about Mrs. smith's surgery. Time is critical."

The receptionist nodded, his expression sympathetic but firm. "I'm sorry, but I truly don't think he'll be able to squeeze you in today. Perhaps you can try again tomorrow?"

She took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure, she appreciated his efforts, but she couldn't wait. Mrs. smith needed her to act, and every moment counted. She gave a tight smile and nodded, then turned to leave, the weight of disappointment settling heavily on her shoulders.

As Savannnah walked away, determination replaced her frustration. She couldn't rely on anyone else to fight for her patient; she had to take matters into her own hands. She headed down the bustling corridor, thoughts racing. She knew the procedure inside and out, and she was confident in her ability to present a compelling case.

Savannah grabbed her phone and opened her contacts, scrolling to Elias's number. But something stopped her, Just as she was about to dial, she caught snippets of conversation from a nearby group of employees. "Did you hear? Mr. Baldwin is meeting with that new consultant, Mrs. Rodriguez. I think she's trying to pitch something big.

The other employee nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, and they say she's got some big ideas for the company, don't know if it's true. No one knows much else, but everyone's buzzing about her."

Savannah felt a mix of frustration and jealousy rising within her. Mrs. Rodriguez? Who was this woman? And what was so special about her that Blaze couldn't find a moment for her? For patient? She had come here with such hope, wanting to advocate for her patient, but now it felt like she was losing her chance to make a difference.

Savannah turned to leave, her heart heavy. She had come here filled with hope, ready to fight for her patient, but now it felt like the door had closed before she could even step through. As she walked out of the lobby, she couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy. The world felt a little darker without the light of his support, and at that moment she knew she would have to find another way for herself and her patient.

With each step away from the building, Savannah vowed to keep fighting, to not let this setback define her. But deep down, she couldn't help but wonder: what if she had missed her chance?

Meeting Room

In the meeting room, the woman sitting right across from Blaze at a far distance, she was striking, with sharp features and a confidence that filled the room. Her dark hair framed her face, and her eyes were a stormy mix of determination and something else something that hinted at trouble.

"Mr. Baldwin" she said, her voice steady. "Thank you for seeing me."

"Let's get to the point. What do you want?" Blaze said, cutting straight to the chase.

She leaned forward, a smirk dancing on her lips. "I want to take down my husband. He's been cheating on me, and I have information that could ruin him. I thought maybe you'd like to help me make him pay."

Blaze couldn't help but narrow his eyes. "And how do you plan to do that? What's your angle?"

"I know things-secrets about his business dealings that could bring him down," she said, her tone dripping with confidence. "If you leak this information to his enemies, it'll hurt him where it counts."

Blaze studied her, the mix of anger and intrigue swirling in his chest. "You think I'd risk my reputation on some personal vendetta? This isn't just a game."

"Why not? We could both benefit," she said, her voice lowering, her eyes locking onto Blaze. "You'd get valuable intel, and I'd get my revenge. Besides, you're a powerful man. I'm sure you like a bit of excitement."

Blaze felt his jaw tighten. He wasn't interested in games, especially not flirtation mixed with revenge. "Listen, I'm not here for romantic distractions. I'm running a business, and I don't appreciate being toyed with."

Her smile faltered, but she quickly regained her composure. "I'm not trying to toy with you, Mr. Baldwin, I just want to see him suffer for what he's done."

Blaze leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "And what's to stop me from taking this information and using it for my own interests? You have no leverage here."

"Because I know that you thrive on power, and this is a chance for you to solidify yours," she shot back, her voice sharper now. "You don't have to be in this alone. We can be allies in this."

Blaze could see the fire in her eyes, but it only reinforced his resolve. "Allies or not, if this backfires, I'll have more than just your husband to deal with. You're playing a dangerous game."

She shrugged, an almost careless gesture. "Life's too short to play it safe, wouldn't you agree? Sometimes, you have to take risks to get what you want."

"True," Blaze said, finally leaning forward, intrigued despite himself. "But I'll be the one calling the shots. If you want to make this work, you need to understand that I don't tolerate any sort of distraction."

"Understood," she replied, the flirty tone gone, replaced by something more serious. "I'm here for business, not pleasure. Let's get down to it."

Blaze gestured for her to continue, his mind racing. This was no ordinary meeting. With the right information, he could gain the upper hand-and perhaps turn this situation to his advantage. But he would keep his distance; this was a game, and he intended to play it his way.

To be continued...

Author's Note:

Will Blaze really would keep his distance? What about Savannah now?

Let's see that in the next update<3

Have a good day/night <3<3