Chapter 8

“I couldn’t help it… I’ve limited her to one bottle a day.”

Lucas took the wine bottle from Elizabeth’s hand as if snatching it. It was nearly empty, so taking it hardly made a difference.

“My handsome son. It’s been so long. You should give your mother a hug.”

After a brief moment collecting himself, Lucas approached her and gave a dry, quick embrace. The sharp, heavy perfume stung his nose.

“You’ve nearly finished a whole bottle of wine in the morning. Impressive.”

Lucas sat across from her in the single armchair.

“He’s the only one who understands my heart. My brilliant husband is too busy wandering around doing whatever he pleases. And my son is busy saving people. Meanwhile, his own mother can’t even be saved.”

Elizabeth leaned back and burst into loud, careless laughter.

“Mother.”

“Oh please. Don’t call me that in such a low voice. It’s scary.”

Then came another shrill laugh. It was hard to believe this was the woman once called the most elegant Mrs. Harrington.

“Mother, are you eating properly.”

“Mm… who knows. Whatever you say, wine is still the most delicious.”

“Wine isn’t food. If you keep going like this, your favorite wine is going to ruin your health.”

“You really are a doctor. The nagging gives it away.”

Elizabeth’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

“If you need anything, tell me. I’ll take care of it.”

“What I need…”

“Yes. Anything.”

“…”

Lucas met her eyes. Elizabeth studied his face from top to bottom, then scoffed with one corner of her lip.

“Lucas. You really are your father’s son.”

“…”

“That perfect face, that sharp brain, and that irritating habit of judging everything with reason and formality.”

“…”

“That’s why I hate you. I hate you so much it’s sickening.”

“Mrs. Harrington.”

If Claire hadn’t stepped in, Elizabeth would have hurled insults at him for half an hour. He’d heard the same lines countless times, so it wasn’t surprising. But today, for some reason, it stung. He had tried so hard to keep his emotions steady so he could comfort her.

Yet all he received was the same bitter hatred. And today, that hurt.

“You should have taken after me. Why did you take after him. Are you going to be like your father too. Going around meeting woman after woman.”

“…”

“And then what. You gonna act like you’ll be president someday. Will America finally see its first president who used to be a surgeon.”

Elizabeth’s loud laughter filled the room. She knew very well that Jonathan dreamed of one day aiming for the White House.

“But he’ll never become president. You know why. Because I have no intention of being First Lady. I’ll ruin it before that happens. I’ll cut his lifeline if I have to. Claire, you agree with me, don’t you.”

Claire’s face darkened.

“Mother.”

“What. You taking your father’s side again.”

“No.”

“Then what on earth are you trying to say.”

Lucas rose from his seat. He hadn’t expected a normal conversation, but this was too much.

“You talk about killing someone very casually.”

“Casually, you say.”

“A normal person wouldn’t say that out loud.”

“I assume you heard the news. Your father’s secretary got shot.”

“I heard. Apparently she survived.”

“…”

Elizabeth’s contemptuous gaze twisted inside his chest like a blade.

“Please take care of your health.”

He had thought he might stay at the house for at least an hour. Foolish thought. Completely foolish.

“There’s something I want to check.”

Lucas spoke as he stepped out into the hallway.

“Tell me anything.”

“How many CCTVs did this house have. I remember around ten.”

“That’s right. Eleven in total.”

“Can I see footage from about a week ago.”

“Right now.”

“Yes. While I’m here.”

“I’d have to contact the Security Office and coordinate with them.”

“Now.”

Lucas’s tone made it clear there would be no negotiating.

“That’s… not under my authority.”

“…”

He stared at Claire wordlessly until she grew nervous and then slowly nodded.

“I’ll contact them right away.”

“Thank you. Very kind of you.”

Lucas headed straight toward the security wing. Claire hurried after him while making calls.

* * *

Lucas’s sudden visit threw the security team into chaos. Lucas himself appeared calm as he looked around.

“I must have startled you with the sudden visit.”

“N, no sir.”

“I’d like to check the footage from a week ago up to today. That should be possible.”

“A week ago…”

The man who seemed to be the team leader bowed his head awkwardly.

“Is there a problem.”

“About that…”

“What kind of problem.”

“There was a server error and the automatic recordings didn’t save. The entire month’s footage is gone.”

“…”

Lucas slowly dragged his hand along his jaw.

“I see. That never used to happen.”

He’d checked recordings before to confirm Elizabeth’s behavior.

“If it’s a server error, then I guess it can’t be helped.”

Lucas nodded like he understood. The security staff exchanged glances of what looked like relief.

“I’m very sorry. We’ll be more careful from now on.”

The team leader bowed again.

“No need to apologize over a server error.”

“…”

“But you know, every situation needs someone responsible. That makes things simpler.”

“…”

“Thank you for your work up to now.”

The man’s face went pale. Lucas dropped the words like a bomb and walked out.

Claire quickly followed.

“Dr. Harrington. I’m so sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing, Ms. Dunham.”

“Mr. Mercer has been in charge of security for a long time. Please reconsider the termination.”

“I won’t.”

“…”

“I’ve lost important evidence because of this. Someone has to be responsible. It isn’t unreasonable. Do you disagree.”

“…No.”

Lucas let out a thin breath. The situation was absurd enough to make him laugh. The one month the recording system malfunctioned just happened to be the week he needed it.

How was he supposed to interpret this. The missing trophies and the swapped carpet. And the crime scene tied back to his own home in the Upper East Side.

“Please make sure my father and mother don’t talk too much. And when my mother shows signs of an episode, help her take Xanax quickly.”

“Yes, Dr. Harrington. I’ll take her health seriously.”

Claire forced a small, strained smile.

“I’d drop by more often if I could, but the hospital is busy. I’m counting on you.”

Claire nodded at Lucas’s faint smile.

“It must be even busier with the new interns. Are they doing alright.”

The topic shift eased the tension a bit.

“The interns.”

Among the five general surgery interns, why was it Suji’s face that popped up first. Probably because she was the one he’d end up involved with the most.

“They’re barely qualified to be called doctors. They’re just starting.”

“You’ll have a lot to teach them. Hopefully none quit midway.”

“It doesn’t matter if they do. Honestly, it’s better if the weak ones get weeded out early.”

“…”

Claire nodded in agreement with his cold, matter-of-fact view.

They stopped in front of his sedan.

“Are you suspecting Mrs. Harrington in relation to that incident?”