Ryan stepped out of his Mercedes Benz and put on his face mask as he walked into Morgan University Hospital. He walked straight to the VIP emergency room, where Mr. Powers, his father, was receiving medical care.
"Captain Ryan" Philip, Mr. Powers' driver, greeted as Ryan walked in.
"What happened to him?" Ryan asked.
"He collapsed in the office just as we were about to head home. It's not the first time, this is the third time it has happened but he always told me not to tell anyone. This time, he took too long to wake up, so I had to call you" Philip explained.
Just then, Dr. Cyprus and his team walked into the emergency room.
"Captain Ryan," Dr. Cyprus said. The name made Regina look up sharply, her eyes meeting Ryan's.
"You?" Ryan said coldly when he recognized her, and Regina immediately lowered her head. He turned back to Dr. Cyprus. "What happened to my father?"
"The last time he was here, I explained everything to him, but he didn't want to listen, and I had to respect his choice. Mr. Powers has a brain tumor" Dr. Cyprus said.
"What?" Ryan asked in shock.
"Yes. He's been showing symptoms of severe headaches, vision problems, confusion, numbness, and now full unconsciousness, like what just happened" Dr. Cyprus said.
"What caused it? And how serious is this?" Ryan asked urgently.
"Dr. Coles, would you like to explain it further?" Dr. Cyprus asked.
"I don't want any explanation from her. I clearly told you not to cross paths with me again, didn't I?" Ryan said coldly, dismissing Regina. Kate smirked and rolled her eyes at Regina.
"Captain Ryan, the tumor is benign, which means it's not cancerous. From what we discovered, it was caused by a genetic mutation, a change in his DNA that are making cells grow uncontrollably. The only way to stop it from becoming cancerous is for Mr. Powers to undergo surgery and have it removed" Kate explained, while Regina listened silently.
"Will he be okay after the surgery? Can he return to his normal life and routine?" Ryan asked.
"Absolutely" Dr. Cyprus said.
"I need to see either the CEO or the Chairman. If anything goes wrong with my father, I will take legal action or handle it myself" Ryan said firmly.
"Yes, Captain Ryan" Dr. Cyprus said respectfully.
"I'll take you to my father" Kate offered, and Ryan nodded in response.
As Ryan walked out, Kate walked close to Regina and whispered "I don't know what you did to get on Captain Ryan's bad side, but just remember, he knows my father and my granduncle. Mr. Powers is one of the hospital's biggest investors. Don't you dare talk when he's talking. Only I have that right to do that."
Then Kate walked out after Ryan.
Dr. Cyprus turned to Regina. "Have you met Captain Ryan before?"
"I accidentally spilled coffee on his uniform when he visited last time" Regina answered quietly.
"Did you apologize?" Dr. Cyprus asked.
"Yes" Regina answered while Gabriel watched.
"He has a short temper. Don't let it bother you" Dr. Cyprus reassured her.
"Thank you, Chief" Regina said.
In the CEO's office, Ryan entered with Kate following him.
"Captain Ryan" CEO Morgan greeted, shaking his hand. "Please, have a seat."
"I heard the chairman isn't around" Ryan said.
"Yes, but I'm here as the CEO" CEO Morgan said with a smile.
"My father was rushed here, and he's still unconscious" Ryan said firmly.
"I just heard. I want you to trust our neurosurgeon, Dr. Cyprus. He's the best at what he does. And Kate will be assisting in the operating room" CEO Morgan said.
"Why are you upset with that girl, Captain Ryan?" Kate asked, pretending to be curious.
"She was rude to me" Ryan said bluntly.
"I don't even know how she got into MUH, but Mrs. Frankfurt likes her a lot" CEO Morgan said.
"I don't care about your blonde doctor. All I care about is getting my father treated" Ryan said.
"Trust the process. This is MUH. Nothing has ever gone wrong here unless it's God's will" CEO Morgan said confidently.
"Good. But if anything does go wrong, I won't just sit still" Ryan said.
"I completely trust Dr. Cyprus. My uncle personally begged him to stay. He's second only to my nephew, who sadly died with his wife and child in that tragic accident" CEO Morgan said.
"I'm not here for stories, Mr. Morgan" Ryan said.
"I always wished you and Kate would be together" CEO Morgan said.
"Dad!" Kate snapped.
"You have a beautiful daughter, but I'm already engaged. I have eyes for only one woman" Ryan said.
"Don't mind my dad. I have a boyfriend, and I'll introduce him soon. I don't want a military man" Kate said, and Ryan smiled faintly.
Then CEO Morgan picked up the intercom on his table. "Alright" he said into it, then looked at Ryan. "Mr. Powers is awake."
"Thank you, Mr. Morgan" Ryan said.
Meanwhile, Regina sat in an open area near their department, a place where staff usually go to get fresh air. She had just ended a call when Samantha walked over.
"Was that Cara?" Samantha asked.
"Yes. She'll be arriving next month. She finally got her transfer" Regina said.
"I heard Captain Ryan is here" Samantha said.
"I know. That's why you came looking for me, right?" Regina said. "He hates me because of what happened the other time, and I really don't want to see him."
"Let's go apologize properly. I'll go with you" Samantha suggested.
"No. If you want to see him, go to our department yourself" Regina said.
"Are you and Dr. Strafford dating? He calls you a lot and even buys you meals" Samantha teased.
"He asked me out, but I said no. I'm not ready for a relationship" Regina answered.
"He's handsome. But what if Captain Ryan asks you out?" Samantha said with a playful grin.
"Go away, Sam. You're disgusting" Regina said, walking off while Samantha laughed behind her.
Back in the VIP emergency room, Mr. Powers was now sitting up on the bed with Ryan standing beside him. Dr. Cyprus, Gabriel, and Kate were also present.
"Take me home, Ryan. I don't want to stay here" Mr. Powers said.
"You'll stay here until after the surgery" Ryan said.
"I'm your father, not one of your team in the army. This isn't the military, you can't just order me around" Mr. Powers said, annoyed.
"If I let you go home, you won't rest. You'll still go to the company, even though your assistant can manage it. I'll also take care of things for now. You just need to rest here" Ryan insisted.
"If I stay, your mother will be worried sick" Mr. Powers added.
"I'll explain everything to her when I get home. She'll understand and she'll agree with me" Ryan said. Then he turned to Dr. Cyprus. "When is the surgery?"
"Mr. Powers blood pressure is currently too high for surgery. If we operate now , the risk of stroke or bleeding from the brain might occur. We'll place him on medication for a week or two and once his vitals are stabilized, we will perform the surgery" Dr. Cyprus explained.
"You answer to me now, Dr. Cyprus. He's not going home until after surgery" Ryan said sternly, and Mr. Powers gave a nod of agreement.
"Trust me on this, Captain" Dr. Cyprus assured him.
"I'll personally take care of Mr. Powers" Kate added.
"Thanks" Ryan said before walking out.