"Boss!"
His voice was sharp, cracking through the tension in the room.
"What?"
"The guards at the hospital were all ours… and the ones who killed the doctor as well."
Silence dropped like a hammer. A slow, deadly breath escaped from the Quincy's nostrils as his gaze cut toward his assistant like a blade.
"Filter out all our guards working for Gianna and remove them."
"But she will complain if we remove all her guards—"
"Let her complain to me then! I said remove all her guards!!"
"Yes boss!"
He stormed into the hospital ward like a shadow, sharp and unreadable. Freya was gently folding Harper's things into a bag. On the other side of the room sat his parents. A calm silence hung in the air until his voice broke it.
"Mum. Dad."
His mother looked up with a warm smile, but her expression flickered with concern when she met his eyes.
"You're here, Quincy. I thought you wouldn't come to pick her up."
"I will surely come. I didn't know that you guys would come too."
"Fred is leaving the country soon, so he wanted to watch over Blue," Fransisca said softly, then smiled at him with a maternal affection. "You don't like that, Quincy?"
He exhaled through his nose and gave a half-smile, eyes flickering toward Harper.
"Of course I do. I mean, I can't stop you from seeing Harper since you're fond of her."
"You look worried though," Fred observed, his eyes narrowing with a soldier's sharp perception.
"There's a problem, Dad."
"A problem?"
He stepped forward, tension in his shoulders, and moved closer to Harper. Fransisca stood, allowing him to sit beside her. He gave her a faint, encouraging smile, then reached for her hand and clasped it tightly.
"You look better now."
"Yes. I feel better now… all thanks to you."
Her voice was quiet, but steady. His grip on her hand tightened.
"Harper…"
"Yeah?"
"I did something terrible."
"You did? What did you do?"
He swallowed hard. His jaw clenched.
"It's about the pregnancy."
Her eyes widened. "What's wrong with it?"
"The babies were two."
A pause. Then—
"Oh my goodness! They were two? You mean she lost two children?"
"Mum… she didn't lose them because of the gunshot."
Fransisca leaned forward, brow furrowed. "Then how?"
His gaze dropped to Harper's lap as guilt and fury clouded his features.
"She was given abortion drugs the first time she got admitted for the gunshot wound."
A sharp gasp left Harper's lips. Her hands trembled.
"What? I was given abortion drugs?"
"Yes. The drugs removed one of the child, but the second one was still alive and hanging on. The operation yesterday was used to abort the second one."
Her body froze. Shock rolled over her in waves.
"What the hell! Who could've done this to Blue?"
"It was Gianna, Mum."
"Gianna? That bitch! She did?"
Fred was already rising, fists clenched, fury in his voice. "What was the doctor looking at? They could not report to you?"
"Dad… Gianna had the guards stay in and out of the hospital throughout Harper's stay here. She found out about her pregnancy and threatened the doctor to get rid of the baby. She held them and their family hostage. Just this morning the doctor summoned the courage to come and report to me. He was killed on his way. His family were killed too. Only the assisting nurse was left."
Fred's jaw twitched as he exploded. "She must be seeking death!"
His mother's face darkened with horror. Her voice trembled with rage. "Because I fulfilled my father's wish and made her your wife doesn't mean she can do whatever she wants!"
Quincy turned back to Harper, eyes filled with regret. "Harper, I'm very sorry. This is my fault. We lost the babies because of me."
She stared at him, lips parted, the room spinning around her. Her body couldn't move. Her breath hitched, shallow and panicked. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
Two children?
I really lost two children?
Her thoughts screamed in her skull, but no sound escaped her lips. Just sobs. Deep. Quiet. Breaking.
Life is really a tribulation… because what is this that's happening to me?
"Blue!" Fransisca's voice rang out with urgency. She reached out and held Harper's shoulders, steadying her.
"Everything that ever happened to you happened for a reason. You were always so strong. I know you do not need any life lesson to become stronger. Your enemy wants to weaken you and make you crumble. Do not give them satisfaction. This is a hurtful phase for you, Blue. Brace yourself and continue your fight. This is no time to give up at all."
Harper sniffled, eyes still wet, clinging to her last strands of strength.
"Remember your vision from your first day as a courtesan. The world is still in jeopardy and you need to bring back your strength and put things back in order."
"Either your family? Logan? Gianna? They're your mission to accomplish." Fred added, voice now firm and steady. "Remember the courtesan house is a war zone. Your enemies strike your weaknesses. This is your biggest weakness. They just won over you. Would you like their wins to be celebrated or you strike them back? It all depends on you!"
Harper wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Her face—though red and blotchy—hardened.
She turned to Quincy, jaw clenched.
"I'm never giving up."
Fred burst into a proud laugh. "That's the spirit, girl! You are the flower of the courtesan house, Blue! The first and only permanent noble courtesan. You should wield your power!"
"I will! I definitely will! I will never forgive Gianna for this."
"We will not, Harper! I'm gonna kill her, I swear."
Her face turned cold, her voice like ice.
"This is a fight for me as a courtesan. I'm gonna take care of it myself. She will feel pains worse than death…"
The lounge buzzed with music and chatter as a group of courtesans lounged in velvet chairs around a marble-topped table. Violet barged in dramatically, heels clicking with purpose.
"Guys! Guys!! There's a news!"
Olivia, lounging in a silk robe with a glass of champagne in hand, rolled her eyes theatrically.
"Here comes our news carrier! What's the headline, Violet?" she said, draping an arm over the chair with mock interest.
Violet's lips curved with excitement as she flopped into a chair.
"Blue is hosting the next courtesan nightlife."
That stirred the room. Olivia sat up sharply, nearly spilling her drink.
"Strippers and seductress night?"
"That's right!" Violet said, nodding eagerly.
"What the heck! Isn't she an underage?" someone gasped, disbelief in her voice.
Daisy burst into laughter, flinging her long braids back over her shoulder.
"What underage?" she chuckled.
"She's just the youngest courtesan but never an underage."
Brows shot up. "Wait wait didn't she just get back from the hospital a few days ago?"
"So?" Daisy shrugged.
"She's all better and fit to host now. We have all done the hosting before, she's the only one who hasn't."
Another courtesan leaned forward. "Jesse said she's using the Shield Hotels main hall."
Gasps echoed around the table.
"Why?"
"She invited the regular courtesans as usual."
"What the hell is she crazy! It's not a market place for fuck sake! Only people with a companion can go!" Olivia snapped, slamming her drink down.
Violet arched a brow, her smirk growing wider.
"She said they can bring in their regular client."
"That girl is really crazy for real!" Olivia yelled, standing to pace. Violet coughed pointedly.
"Hey girl! If she doesn't include the regular courtesans, you can't attend either. You have not been reinstated as a noble courtesan."
Olivia spun around, livid.
"I'm still a noble courtesan either way!"
"Your subscription with the minister has expired." Violet sang smugly.
"Yah!!! Do you have to remind me that right now!" Olivia yelled, face flushed.
"Why are you getting angry, Olivia?" someone asked, tilting her head.
"Because I'm mad! How could Noah do this to me! He abandoned me right after solidifying his position."
Violet shrugged, unapologetic.
"Isn't that a normal thing, Olivia? He already accomplished his mission for taking a courtesan. He doesn't need you anymore. He needs to face his family, and you find a new companion."
Olivia groaned and slumped onto the couch, her voice bitter.
"I have to stay amongst the regular courtesans after 5 years of being a noble? Isn't that ridiculous? I have to start the struggle all over again?"
Another courtesan, Daisy, spoke calmly.
"If you don't want to struggle for a companion, you can just go on vacations. You enjoy your money. You are richer than every regular courtesan. You might not need a companion anymore—just a normal daily job. Moreover, you have a high chance of getting a companion faster. You are high in demand. You have served the president and straight to the minister of finance. You are worth a lot."
Olivia exhaled shakily, voice softer.
"I don't want to start over. I have always wished to have one companion till I will leave the courtesan house. I wanna be like Harper. How could she be so lucky, damnit!"
A hush fell for a beat.
"Unfortunately, you are not Harper," Violet said with a small shrug.
"She's the first permanent noble courtesan and she might be the only one to ever exist. 'Cause no man would pay that huge amount for a courtesan, never! Only the Dylans have the capacity to do that. Their cash is flowing."
A few murmurs of agreement rippled.
"She has to serve only one man throughout her stay here. Oh my goodness! Getting a new companion is not the problem but who knows the kind of problems he will bring with him? It's hard putting all these men's life in order. I even have to smile at someone I hate just to elevate my companion. I have to go to gatherings left and right. That's the part that I hate most."
"That's what you are getting paid for girl!" Daisy chimed in.
"To elevate your companion in every way possible! Just don't force yourself too much."
"Yes Olivia, don't force yourself. If you don't feel like taking a new companion, it's not a must. You can try out other things before your contract with the courtesan house expires."
Olivia sighed again and waved it off.
"Forget it! Let's just focus on the party. At least there's something to make us happy now."
"Yasss girl! The nightlife is the best thing in the courtesan hosting." someone chimed excitedly.
"Which day is Blue taking on?"
"She's hosting the three nights."
"What? Is she crazy? She will pay for all that?"
"What do you think? She's Quincy's courtesan. She has tons of money to spend."
There were whistles and wide eyes around the group.
"Good for us! I was already scared of being chosen to host too. I only have a few years left here. I don't have money to waste on those bitches."
"Don't be stingy Violet!" Olivia snapped.
"What? My companion wasn't the minister of finance, dear Olivia."
"Shut up!"
"Whatever you say! I need to go prepare my outfit for the nightclub. I'm gonna spray the fuck out of those strippers, oh my goodness!" Violet said, practically dancing toward the door.
"You have the money to spray the strippers but not to host?"
I'm not gonna down a million on a stripper, just $100k."
"You are so stingy, Violet! What the hell! Why are you such a miser?"
"I'm not!"
"Why would a courtesan spray a stripper just $100k?"
"It's a lot of money to them, bitch!"
"They have families to feed."
"Maybe they should become a courtesan then! Bye y'all!" Violet called, disappearing with a flick of her curls and an unapologetic grin.