Page 12 of Trapped By the Maharaja
Behind him, the senior board members joined Dr. Rao in confusion. But as they came closer and saw who stood before them, their steps faltered.
The chairman himself stumbled forward with a deferential smile.
“Your Highness,” the chairman greeted nervously, bowing slightly. “We weren’t informed of your visit today. Please, let usescort you inside. We have a private room prepared should you wish to wait out the weather or—”
“Lead the way,” Ram ordered, his deep voice smooth and indifferent. He didn’t look at the chairman. His eyes continued to look at her with a cold and unreadable expression before he turned away dismissively.
He walked up the hospital steps, his bodyguards forming a protective wall. His presence parted the crowd automatically. The hospital administrative staff bowed, greeting him eagerly with a look of reverence.
The chairman gestured urgently for the hospital security to open the doors wider. Soon, Ram and his entourage disappeared through the doors.
Sanjana stood on the steps, water soaking into her clothes and hair, her breath coming out faster. She could still feel the sting on her wrists where handcuffs had been put on her a few moments ago.
Rajesh hurried to her side with a relieved look. “Sanjana, thank God. I thought… I thought the police would take you. I had even spoken to a lawyer.”
Sanjana didn’t respond. Her wrists were still throbbing from the handcuffs. She didn’t feel relieved at being let go. She didn’t feel gratitude.
Other doctors and nurses gathered around her. Some looked confused. Others were downright shocked. Most of them knew who the man was, and for those who didn’t, the board members’ and senior staff’s greeting indicated that the man was royalty.
“Who was that?” someone asked.
“He looked somewhat familiar from a distance,” another replied.
“Must be an important businessman based on all those bodyguards surrounding him. I could only see the top of his head.”
“I think he’s royalty,” a junior doctor said. “The senior board members were bowing before him and referring to him as Your Highness.”
“The only royalty around here are the Devara royals. I don’t think they would come to a place like our hospital. They already own several top hospitals.”
“Whoever it was, thank god, he came on time to stop Dr. Shetty’s arrest.”
“Yes, he stopped Dr. Shetty’s arrest.”
But Sanjana didn’t feel grateful.
Not even a little.
She felt rage and hatred. The only emotion she allowed herself to feel towards Ram Devara.
“Sanjana,” Rajesh’s gentle voice broke her thoughts.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to look at him.
“I can drop you home,” Rajesh offered with an uncertain smile. “You had a long day. It’s also raining heavily, and you shouldn’t drive under the circumstances.”
Before she could reply, a voice from behind interrupted them.
“Dr. Shetty,” one of the senior staff called. “You’ve been asked to come inside by Dr. Kolli.”
Sanjana nodded and followed the staff inside.
CHAPTER 6
She was led inside, where a group was waiting. Her eyes automatically searched for a tall figure, but he and his entourage of assistants and bodyguards weren’t inside the room.
One of the senior board members adjusted his spectacles nervously.
“Dr. Shetty,” he said. “We apologize for what happened today. It was a… misunderstanding.”
