Page 9 of Claimed By Fur and Fangs

I just smirked and headed out the front door. The cool night air hit me as I stepped onto the driveway. The black SUV gleamed under the lights, the sleekness of it matching the sharpness of my focus. I slid into the back seat, the leather upholstery cool against my skin and nodded to my driver to get going.

“Let’s go,” I muttered, leaning back against the seat. The car roared to life, pulling out onto the driveway and speeding down the streets.

As we pulled out onto the main road, I caught a glimpse of Fergus in the rearview mirror, his bright yellow Lamborghini already a few yards behind, the engine’s growl unmistakable even from a distance.

“Typical Fergus. He’s always the showman, always ready to leave a trail of stares and whispers behind him… I wonder how we are best friends if we completely opposite” I muttered.

I sat at my desk, fingers drumming absentmindedly against the smooth surface, watching the news about the fire at the refinery.

“This is bad, I’m sure the investors abroad must have heard this” Fergus said.

“Have you gotten any calls yet?” I asked.

“No, I haven’t but I’ll have secretary attend to any calls pertaining to it”

The door creaked open, and Julian stepped inside, his face taut with tension.

“Sir,” Julian said, his voice calm but his eyes telling me everything I needed to know. “I’ve gathered the details from the fire department and our team.”

“What do we know?”

“Eleven people sustained severe burns. Two are in a coma. Thirteen others made it out without any injuries.”

“Oh my! What else?”

Julian set a folder on my desk, the weight of it was more significant than I was willing to admit. “Cause is still underinvestigation. Teams are working around the clock, but it’s too early to confirm anything.”

I nodded, my fingers grazing the edge of the folder. The cause didn’t matter at this moment. What mattered was the fallout—how we would manage this, how we would make sure those affected knew they weren’t alone.

“I will handle the insurance and the hospital bills of the victims. Julian email me the details” Fergus said.

“Okay sir”

“Good. We’ll schedule a board meeting later today, make sure everyone is aligned with the next steps. But in the meantime, we need to visit the victims in the hospital. Let them know we’re here, that we’re doing everything we can to support them. And Amelia… Any word on her?”

“She’s from Countryside Orlando. Moved to Silverpines 4 years ago, She rooms with Sienna a doctor at St. Lukes Hospital, where she’s a nurse.

“St. Luke’s hospital?”

“Yes sir, the same hospital where the victims are”

“Get my car ready. I’m going to the hospital. We need to get food and flowers for the victims and make sure they are comfortable... maybe I’ll have a chance to see her too.”

Julian’s nod was immediate, and I could tell he understood without me saying another word. “I’ll arrange it, sir.”

I straightened my suit, trying to ignore the quickening beat of my heart. There were too many things at stake—too much that needed my attention—but Amelia... the thought of seeing her again, of somehow being near her, added to the weight I hadn’t expected to carry today.

“Are you coming with me?” turning to Fergus.

“No, I have to handle things here.”

“Okay then.”

As I walked towards my car, my mind flickered back to the fire victims, to the people who were fighting for their lives.

The moment I arrived at St. Luke’s Hospital, the weight of the day seemed to settle deeper on my shoulders.

I walked into the hospital lobby, my footsteps echoing off the tile floors as I approached the director's office.

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