CHAPTER 29: CONFERENCE ROOM III

The Sinclair family funded breakthroughs that redefined the field, from gene therapies to global health initiatives. Electricity and energy? Their conglomerates powered nations, pioneering renewables while dominating fossil fuels. Private sectors bowed to their investments, public sectors danced to their policies. They were the unseen architects of influence, a dynasty that made the Rockefellers look like upstarts. And Yvonne? She was one of the main figures in the family. the first child of the family patriarch, Harlan Sinclair, a man whose decisions could topple markets or heal divides.

Whispers about her circulated in elite circles like forbidden lore. Who was she, really? A recluse genius? A shadowy philanthropist? Efforts to uncover her had always evaporated into rumors, her privacy guarded like a state secret. Yet here she was, on a simple video call, revealed as the Chief Executive Officer of this very hospital, a revelation that sent Devon’s mind reeling. How had he not known? The hospital’s board had always been shrouded in layers of anonymity, but this... this was a masterstroke of understatement.

Yvonne’s eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement as she continued, her tone warm yet commanding. "Dr Aldridge, your presentation was nothing short of masterful. Your protocols are a beacon of innovation, streamlined, data-driven, and poised to redefine trauma care. I deeply acknowledge your message, it’s a call to reinvention that resonates profoundly in these halls."

Devon recovered his composure, though his pulse still thrummed from the sheer impact of her presence. He nodded, his voice steady but laced with newfound respect. "Thank you, Ms. Sinclair. Coming from you, that’s high praise indeed."

"However," she interjected smoothly, her gaze sharpening like a scalpel, "there’s a nuance in your cost projections that warrants correction. You claim a 60% reduction through phased rollouts, but in high-volume centers like ours, regulatory compliance could inflate that by at least 15%, factoring in the latest HIPAA amendments and supply chain volatilities."

Devon leaned forward, his grin returning with a spark of challenge, the thrill of intellectual sparring igniting in his eyes. "Astute observation, but allow me to clarify, those amendments are mitigated by our pre-approvals, which integrate blockchain-verified audits to streamline..."

"... compliance without the bureaucratic drag," Yvonne finished seamlessly, her smile widening as if completing a duet. "Precisely. You’ve anticipated it beautifully. Consider me impressed and corrected."

The room exhaled collectively, a ripple of awe passing through the group. Elias chuckled under his breath, while Miriam nodded in silent approval. But Yvonne’s attention shifted abruptly, her expression cooling as she turned her digital gaze toward Gregory, who had shrunk into his seat like a deflated balloon. "As for you, Gregory, isn’t it? Your outburst was unprofessional and disruptive. Effective immediately, you’re suspended for five days. Use the time to reflect on collaboration over confrontation."

Gregory’s face flushed anew, his mouth opening in protest. "But Ms Sinclair, I—"

She raised a single, elegant hand on screen, her voice brooking no argument, as firm as a gavel’s strike. "No buts. Leave the room now, and report to HR upon your return. That is all."

He froze, the weight of her authority crashing down like an avalanche. The Sinclair name wasn’t just a title, it was a force of nature. Gregory didn’t dare refute, he gathered his papers with trembling hands, shot a venomous glance at Devon that went unnoticed, and slunk out of the room like a chastised schoolboy, the door clicking shut behind him with finality.

"Dr Aldridge," Yvonne began, her voice softening into a tone that was both regal and intimate, like a queen addressing a favored knight. "I must apologize for the disruption earlier. Gregory’s behavior was unacceptable, and I regret that it marred what was otherwise a remarkable presentation. Your work is extraordinary, and I want you to know that I consider you an invaluable asset to this hospital. Your vision, your precision, it’s the kind of brilliance that doesn’t just elevate our institution; it redefines what we believe is possible."

Devon, still reeling from the sheer force of her presence, managed a nod, his usual swagger tempered by genuine humility. "Thank you, Ms Sinclair. That means more than you know."

She smiled, a smile that seemed to carry the warmth of a summer dawn and the weight of a thousand unspoken promises. "If you ever need anything, resources, support, please speak to Rachel. Consider it done. We’re in the business of saving lives, and I trust you to lead that charge." She paused, her eyes glinting with a spark of camaraderie. "Thank you, Devon, for reminding us what excellence looks like."

With a graceful nod, Yvonne’s image blinked out, the screen going dark as the video call ended. The room exhaled, the spell of her presence lifting like a curtain drawn back to reveal the ordinary world. The meeting, it seemed, was over by unspoken consensus. Chairs scraped against the floor as the hospital’s elite rose to their feet, the earlier tension replaced by a quiet buzz of admiration and intrigue.

As they filed out, the dynamic had shifted. Elias, his grizzled face softened by a rare grin, gave Devon a firm nod, his eyes gleaming with respect. "Hell of a show, kid," he muttered, clapping Devon’s shoulder with a force that nearly knocked him off balance. Miriam, her usual reserve cracked, offered a tight smile and a subtle tilt of her head, as if acknowledging a worthy rival. Nadia paused to meet his gaze, her analytical eyes warm with approval, and whispered, "Keep pushing the boundaries, Devon." Leonard adjusted his glasses and gave a grudging, "Not bad, Hargrove," while Serena, still starry eyed, beamed at him like a disciple meeting her hero. Even Julian Croft, ever aloof, flicked his eyes toward Devon with a nod that spoke of reluctant respect before slipping out.

Rachel, gathering her notes, caught Devon’s eye and flashed a knowing smile, as if she’d seen this kind of magic before and knew its weight. The room emptied, leaving Devon alone with the hum of the projector cooling down and the faint glow of the blank screen. But beneath his calm exterior, a sinister grin curled his lips.