Chapter 4: No Mercy

Nathan Bennett stood motionless outside the operating room.

The red emergency light above the door remained on.

Every passing second felt like a lifetime.

His expensive suit was still stained with Olivia's blood.

He hadn't changed.

He couldn't.

It was the only reminder that everything happening wasn't a nightmare.

"Mr. Bennett," his assistant Ethan said carefully.

"We've secured the company surveillance footage."

Nathan didn't respond.

"The security team is waiting in the conference room."

"Bring it here," Nathan said quietly.

Minutes later, a laptop was placed before him.

The footage began playing.

Nathan watched Olivia enter the company carrying the insulated lunch bag.

She smiled politely at the receptionist.

Then Claire appeared.

Nathan's jaw tightened.

The recording showed Claire grabbing Olivia's wrist and dragging her into the conference room.

Another camera showed employees gathering outside the door.

No one intervened.

Nathan's fists slowly clenched.

"There's no camera inside the conference room," Ethan explained.

"But the hallway microphone recorded everything."

Nathan nodded.

"Play it."

The audio echoed through the silent waiting area.

"You're just another woman trying to seduce Mr. Bennett!"

"Please... you've misunderstood..." Olivia pleaded.

"Stop pretending!"

A loud slap followed.

Then another.

Nathan closed his eyes.

His breathing became heavier with every cry coming from the speakers.

"Please... I'm pregnant..."

"Every mistress says that!" Claire shouted.

A loud crash echoed.

Then Olivia screamed in pain.

Nathan abruptly slammed the laptop shut.

The screen cracked under the force.

Nobody dared speak.

"Where is Claire?" he asked.

"She's waiting at headquarters," Ethan replied.

"She insists she was protecting your reputation."

Nathan let out a cold laugh.

"Protecting me?"

"Bring her here."

"Now."

Half an hour later, Claire was escorted into a private consultation room at the hospital.

She still looked confident.

"Mr. Bennett," she said with a nervous smile.

"I truly didn't know she was your wife."

"I only wanted to help you."

"Help me?"

Nathan slowly stood.

"Did my wife ever threaten you?"

"No..."

"Did she attack you?"

"No..."

"Then why did you attack her?"

Claire lowered her head.

"I thought..."

"I didn't ask what you thought."

"I asked what gave you the right."

Claire's confidence completely disappeared.

"Sir... please forgive me."

"I've worked hard for this company."

"I can apologize to Mrs. Bennett."

"Apologize?"

Nathan stared at her with icy eyes.

"Can your apology erase the blood on my wife's clothes?"

"Can it erase the pain she suffered?"

"Can it guarantee my child survives?"

Claire burst into tears.

"I made a mistake."

"Everyone makes mistakes."

"Not like this."

Nathan looked toward Ethan.

"Effective immediately, Claire Morgan is terminated."

"Blacklist her from every Bennett company worldwide."

"Forward today's evidence to the police."

"And notify our legal department."

"I want criminal charges filed before sunrise."

"Mr. Bennett!" Claire cried.

"Please! Don't destroy my future!"

"You should have thought about that before destroying my family's."

Security officers escorted the sobbing woman away.

Nathan never looked back.

At that moment, the operating room doors finally opened.

The doctor removed his surgical mask.

Nathan immediately rushed forward.

"Doctor?"

"Your wife is stable," the doctor said.

Nathan released a shaky breath.

"But..."

His heart sank again.

"The baby suffered severe complications from the trauma."

"We managed to stop the bleeding, but the next forty-eight hours are critical."

"If complications continue..."

The doctor hesitated.

"...I'm afraid the pregnancy may not survive."

Nathan's legs nearly gave out.

"Can I see her?"

"She's awake."

"But she's very weak."

Nathan quietly entered Olivia's hospital room.

She looked pale.

Machines softly beeped beside her bed.

Her hand instinctively rested over her stomach.

"Nathan..." she whispered.

"Is our baby alright?"

Nathan gently took her hand.

His voice broke for the first time that day.

"We're going to fight for our child."

"Together."

Olivia smiled weakly.

A single tear rolled down her cheek.

Neither of them noticed the nurse quietly watching from the doorway.

She hesitated before walking toward Nathan.

"Mr. Bennett..."

"There's something important you need to know."