CHAPTER 57: HOSPITAL GALA

The grand ballroom of Blissville Hospital pulsed with a life of its own, transformed into a glittering crucible where ambition collided under a veneer of champagne-fueled revelry.

Gone was the sterile hum of the hospital’s corridors, in its place, a symphony of clinking flutes and sultry violin notes from a string quartet perched on a balcony, their bows slicing through the air like blades. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling like celestial orbs, scattering prisms of light that danced across walls draped in deep indigo velvet, embroidered with silver threads that traced constellations, a wink to the gala’s theme, "Healing Hearts for the Homeless."

The stage was a sleek obsidian platform at the room’s heart, stood like a battleground awaiting its generals, framed by towering floral sculptures of white orchids and blood red roses, their petals a silent vow of hope amidst struggle. Banners cascaded from gilded railings, their gold lettering proclaiming support for the city’s homeless, disabled, and orphaned children, each word a call to action veiled in glamour.

Silent auction tables lined the walls, their treasures glinting under pinpoint spotlights, a private yacht cruise to the coast. A high-tech booth in one corner buzzed with eager donors signing up for private tours of the hospital’s new neuro-rehab wing, where VR headsets promised a front row seat to brain surgeries that could save lives.

The air thrummed with the scent of jasmine, bourbon, and raw anticipation, a heady cocktail that promised a night of deals, dreams, and danger.

Guests streamed in, their arrival announced by the soft chime of a brass bell at the entrance, where valets in crisp vests orchestrated a parade of Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces under the hospital’s marble portico. Early birds board members in razor-sharp tuxedos, philanthropists in gowns that shimmered like liquid jewels clustered near the open bar, where mixologists slung "Hope Highballs," a fizzy concoction of gin, elderflower, and a shimmer of edible gold dust that caught the light like fairy fire.

Waiters wove through the crowd, their trays laden with bite sized decadence, a truffle-laced mushroom crostini, and delicate macarons that melted like secrets on the tongue.

The gala was a dual beast, fundraising for shelters, disability programs, and orphanages while flexing Blissville hospital as a medical titan, and every detail screamed calculated seduction.

Dr Elena Marquez, the hospital’s whip smart statistician, swept through the doors in a gown of emerald silk that hugged her curves like a lover’s promise. She froze mid-step, her breath catching as she drank in the spectacle, her glasses glinting under the chandeliers. "Well, damn," she said, her voice a mix of awe and mischief as she turned to Raj Patel, who looked like he’d stumbled into a Hollywood set in his slightly rumpled rented tux. "They’ve turned this place into a bloody palace. Those banners, ’Healing Hearts for the Homeless’? It’s like they’re daring us to feel something while we’re drowning in champagne. The nerve of it’s almost sexy."

Raj snorted, yanking at his tie like it was a noose, his eyes darting to an auction table where a vintage Patek Philippe watch gleamed like a small sun. "Sexy? Try ballsy. Raising cash for orphanages and disabled vets while we’re sipping gold flakes? It’s like Robin Hood threw a party at versailles. But that surgery tour chatting with big shots like Dr Devon ? I’d pawn my kidney for a shot at that."

Elena smirked, snagging a Highball from a passing waiter. "Keep dreaming, kid. You’d need a donor’s wallet to play in that league. Still, they’re pulling out all the stops auctions, tours, that singer who’s basically the voice of every protest march. It’s a circus at this point."

Across the room, a gaggle of donors, tech bros with Rolexes flashing like beacons and socialites dripping in pearls huddled near a display showcasing a private dinner with a Michelin-starred chef.

"My God, Vivian, it’s divine," cooed Vivian Langston, her silver gown sparkling like a disco ball as she gestured at the floral towers, her diamond studs winking with every turn. "These roses? Straight from that eco-florist who did the Met Gala. And auctions for the homeless? It’s so now. I’m bidding on that getaway, imagine the aesthetic on my page."

Her companion, Harold Grayson, a real estate mogul with a mane of silver hair and a laugh like a cannon, clapped a fellow donor on the back. "Now? It’s bloody brilliant, Viv. They’ve weaponized charity, get us to fund shelters and disability gear while we’re schmoozing with surgeons and sipping fifty-dollar cocktails. That performance tonight? That activist singer with the pipes? Pure gold."

Vivian leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial purr. "Speaking of, where’s Dr Devon? I heard he’s giving the keynote. That man could sell ice to a glacier those eyes, that swagger. I’d donate my trust fund just to hear him talk."

Harold chuckled, swirling his bourbon. "Careful, Viv. Devon’s a shark in a suit. But you’re right, he’ll have this crowd eating out of his hand. Bet he’s got half the donors here ready to fund his next wing just for a handshake."

The crowd swelled, a vibrant tide of elegance and ego: nurses trading scrubs for satin, surgeons in bowties that screamed old money, even a B-list actor spotted near the bar, his presence sparking whispers. Sarah, the hospital’s resident gossip and junior researcher, slinked up to Elena, her crimson dress clinging like a second skin, a wicked grin on her lips.

"Elena, this is nuts," she whispered, her eyes scanning the room like a hawk. "They’ve turned the ballroom into Narnia for charity. Those auctions? Someone just dropped one hundred grand on a yacht weekend. And the rehab wing tours? They’re selling out like Beyonce tickets. But let’s be real, Dr Devon speech is gonna be the main event. Guy’s got a vibe that makes you want to sign over your soul."

Elena sipped her drink, the gold dust catching the light as she nodded. "No kidding. It’s like they’ve bottled magic, chats with top docs, funds for homeless kids and prosthetics."

"It’s a show, but damn if it doesn’t make you feel like you’re changing the world. I’m half-tempted to bid on that artist’s mural myself."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "You? Bid? Save your pennies, girl. The real show’s watching these donors throw cash like it’s confetti. But Devon? He’s the ringmaster. Bet he’s got a line of socialites begging for a private tour with him."

The melody surged into a spirited waltz, the violins weaving a spell that pulled guests toward the stage. Two emcees, a statuesque woman in a sequined gown and a charming man with a broadcaster’s grin stepped into the spotlight, their voices cutting through the chatter like velvet knives. "Welcome to the Blissville Hospital Gala!" the woman declared, her smile a beacon.

"Tonight, we ignite ’Healing Hearts for the Homeless, raising millions for shelters, disability programs, and orphanages while celebrating our hospital’s relentless pursuit of healing. Dive into our silent auctions, yacht cruises, celebrity dinners, and art that tells stories of survival. Sign up for exclusive tours of our neuro-rehab wing, or hear our surgeons share their vision for orphaned children’s futures. And brace for a performance by a voice that’s rallied the world for the voiceless."

Her partner raised his flute, his eyes twinkling. "Let’s make tonight legendary for our city’s heart and the hearts we mend. Bidding’s open, so let’s see those paddles fly!"

The room erupted in cheers, glasses clinking like a thousand tiny bells as guests surged toward the auction tables, paddles waving like battle flags. Donors whispered strategies over caviar, surgeons traded quips with philanthropists, and staff like Sarah swapped bets on the night’s top bids.

"That guitar’s hitting sixty grand, easy," Sarah murmured to Raj, her eyes gleaming with mischief.