Chapter 6 - The Return of the Villain
Three days passed in a blur of medical checks, legal filings, and tense waiting. Julian maintained a round-the-clock vigil, sleeping in short bursts in the armchair beside Sophia’s bed and working from his laptop when she was stable.
On the morning of the fourth day, the quiet of the ICU floor was broken by the sound of angry voices echoing from the hallway.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" a familiar, arrogant voice demanded outside. "I am Marcus Vane! That is my wife in that room, and those are my children in the NICU! Step aside!"
"Sir, you cannot go in there—" a nurse’s voice pleaded.
The door to Sophia’s room was shoved open violently. Marcus Vane stepped inside, looking slightly disheveled in an expensive suit, his eyes red-rimmed and angry. But as he crossed the threshold, his path was abruptly blocked by the broad frame of Julian Vance.
Marcus froze, his eyes widening in shock and rage. "Julian? What the hell are you doing here?"
Julian stood his ground, towering over Marcus, his expression devoid of any human warmth. "I’m making sure you don't step one foot closer to this bed."
"This is my wife!" Marcus spat, pointing a finger at Sophia’s unconscious form. "You have no legal or personal standing here, Vance! I heard you took her to the hospital, and for that, my legal team will send you a finder’s fee. But your little heroic fantasy ends right now. Get out."
Julian didn't flinch. Slowly, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a folded sheaf of legal documents, slapping them hard against Marcus’s chest.
"Read it," Julian said coldly.
Marcus snatched the papers, his eyes skimming the text. His expression turned pale, then livid. "An emergency temporary guardianship order? Restraining order? This is absurd! No judge would sign this!"
"A judge signed it two hours ago," Julian said smoothly. "Including full medical power of attorney granted to me until Sophia regains consciousness. I presented the police report, the 911 dispatch records, and the security camera footage from your building showing you walking out of the penthouse while your wife lay dying on the floor."
Marcus’s jaw worked silently. "That footage... you bought the security firm."
"I bought the firm, I bought the data, and I handed a copy directly to the District Attorney," Julian said, taking a step forward, forcing Marcus to take a step back into the corridor. "You didn't just leave her, Marcus. You committed attempted manslaughter and child abandonment. The press already has the story. Your board of directors is holding an emergency meeting right now to remove you as CEO. By noon, your stock will be worthless."
Marcus’s face twisted in pure hatred. "You planned this. You used my private life to destroy my company!"
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"You destroyed yourself when you abandoned your family on that floor," Julian growled, his voice dropping to a terrifying register. "Now get off this floor before I have security throw you out the window."
Marcus glared at Julian, then looked past him at the silent, tube-bound figure of his wife. Realizing he had lost control of the narrative, the assets, and the situation, he turned on his heel and stormed down the hallway, flanked by two heavy security guards Julian had hired to guard the floor.
