Chapter 3 - THE ARRIVAL OF THE HEIR
Nora’s training and survival instincts kicked in instantly. She smoothed down her navy blue scrubs, adjusted Theo in her arms, and stood up from the armchair just as the heavy brass handles of the double bedroom doors turned with a loud, metallic click.
Stepping into the master suite was Christopher Winslow. Late thirties, tall, and impeccably groomed, Christopher was Raymond’s nephew and the self-appointed interim chief of the Winslow enterprise. He wore a tailored dark gray suit, a silk tie, and polished black leather shoes that made no sound against the plush bedroom carpet. His dark hair was slicked back, and his sharp, masculine face carried a controlled, practiced smile that never reached his cold, calculating eyes. He moved with the effortless arrogance of a man who already considered himself the absolute owner of the estate.
Christopher crossed his arms, standing at the foot of Raymond’s bed, looking down at his uncle’s shirtless, stationary form with an expression of mild annoyance rather than concern.
"How is our patient tonight, Nurse Bennett?" Christopher asked, his voice smooth, refined, and entirely devoid of genuine emotion.
Nora stood beside the bed, keeping her face perfectly neutral, shielding her sudden panic behind her professional demeanor.
"No change, Mr. Winslow," Nora replied smoothly, keeping her voice flat. "Vital signs are stable. Heart rate is sixty-two, blood pressure is 110 over 70."
Christopher barely glanced at the glowing bedside monitor. He reached into his suit jacket, adjusting his silver cufflink while his cold gaze drifted toward Nora and the infant sleeping in her arms.
"Dr. Wallace will be here at four o'clock this afternoon for his routine check," Christopher said casually, his voice carrying a subtle, dangerous edge. "He's adjusting the dosage on his neurological protocol."
Christopher stepped closer to Nora, his shadow falling over her and the baby. He looked down at nine-month-old Theo with visible distaste.
"And Nurse Bennett... make sure that child stays quiet," Christopher added, his voice dropping into a cold, patronizing whisper. "If the baby keeps the house staff awake or interrupts my meetings again... you'll both be packed up and removed from the property before nightfall. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Mr. Winslow," Nora said quietly, lowering her head to play the role of the submissive employee. "It won't happen again."
Christopher gave a brief, satisfied nod, turned on his heel, and walked out of the suite, pulling the heavy double doors shut behind him with a firm latch.
May you like
Nora waited until his footsteps faded down the hallway. She slowly looked down at Raymond.
Though his eyes remained closed and his chest rose and fell in a slow, simulated rhythm, Nora saw his large right fist clench beneath the white blanket—a silent, furious promise of vengeance from a lion waiting to break his chains.
