Page 74 of Echoes

"Glad we have that sorted then," Alexander says. "You can start the onboarding process."

"I don't need assistance."

"That's not up to you."

Mr. Whittingham catches my eye, and I just stare back, baffled. I don't feel privy to this conversation, but at least it deflects from me for a few minutes.

"You'll be under a new doctor, Ms. White. We'll have a new psychiatrist on board to share the workload with Dr. Smith. I think it would be in everyone's best interests to transfer you."

"Why?" I blurt out, looking at Dr. Smith. "He's my psychiatrist."

Dr. Smith gives me a tight smile, but Whitface just scoffs.

"It'sunfairto Dr. Smith to have to manage one-hundred patients on his own. It's not feasible long term with the amount of sessions each patient requires. And unfortunately, it appears that your sessions with Dr. Smith have not been helpful to yourrecovery. Therefore, we will try you with the new psychiatrist."

"How the fuck would you know if they haven't helped?" I snap, unable to help myself.

Sure, I don't like the guy much. But if I'm being honest, he's definitely helped put things in perspective for me—stolen file aside.

"Clearly, since you are still insubordinate," Mr. Whittingham snaps back, looking more and more stressed. I don't know if it'smy lack of cooperation, the argument between the staff, or the presence of Alexander. No matter the reason, it's unnerving to see him lose his cool. He's always an uptight asshole, reminding us of his superiority.

Maybe he needs a room here.

"That's enough," Alexander says, voice raised. "Arthur, control yourself."

"Yeah…control yourself," I mutter under my breath.

Whittingham looks like he wants to get up from his seat to throttle me, but he falls silent, leaning back into his chair.

Alexander looks at me, still annoyed like I'm scum beneath his expensive Italian leather shoes.

"Ms. White… don't be foolish. We are aware of the gang situation within Lilydale."

"Gang?" I sputter. "What the hell are you talking about?"

It's news to me that there's a gang. Unless…

"I believe they call themselves the Circus of the Dead."

Silence falls in the room. My eyes shoot between the three of them rapidly, none of them surprised. Well, neither am I.

It's never been a secret that there's a hierarchy from the inside. Damon has had some hold on Arthur since well before I arrived. But so what? We're a bunch of people meeting, taking control of the only world we know. It's not like the Lilydale staff are jumping around, begging to help us.

"Not sure what you are referring to," I finally answer. "I haven't heard of it."

Mr. Whittingham's face twitches from beside Alexander, and against my better control, a smirk appears on my face for a split second before I quickly remove it.

"Get to the point, gentlemen," Dr. Smith sighs.

"Gladly," Alexander sneers. "I want that information, Ms. White."

I shrug. "I don't have any."

The three of them stare at me with different expressions. Mr. Whittingham looks pissed off—like I took a shit in his morning cereal. Alexander appears annoyed, sick of going around in circles. And Dr. Smith… well, he almost looks amused.

"Ms. White. Are you aware I could have you removed from Lilydale immediately?" Alexander starts, a threat in his tone.

Nodding, I hold his gaze. "Yep."

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