"Mrs. Cross, please," Emily said, her voice trembling slightly but firm in its conviction. "She deserves to be heard."
Chapter III: The Phone Call
Clara stood silently between the two women. She observed Victoria’s arrogant smirk, Emily’s courageous defiance, and the quiet nods of sympathy from passing nurses who had long suffered under Victoria’s ruthless management.
A faint, knowing smile touched the corners of Clara’s lips.
She reached into the pocket of her oversized olive coat, pulled out a vintage flip phone, and pressed a single speed-dial button. Placing the speaker to her ear, she spoke in a clear, authoritative tone that cut through the lobby’s ambient murmur:
"Tell the board I won’t be coming upstairs. They can come down here."
Victoria let out an audible scoff, shaking her head in mockery. "Oh, wonderful. Calling your local councilman? Do you honestly think anyone on our executive board answers to a stranger off the street? Security!"
Two armed building guards stepped forward, unsure of how to proceed.
Before the guards could take another step, the three private glass elevators reserved exclusively for the hospital’s Board of Trustees chimed in unison.