“Sometimes another stable patient waits.”
Maya looked toward Eric.
He immediately spoke.
“Only noncritical cases.”
“Who decides critical?”
“The veterinarian.”
Jordan interrupted quietly.
“Not always.”
Eric turned.
“Jordan.”
Maya raised one hand.
“Let her finish.”
Jordan swallowed.
“If a doctor says no, operations sometimes calls the doctor directly.”
“Pressure?”
Jordan stared at the table.
“Yes.”
“What happens if the doctor still refuses?”
“Nothing official.”
“Unofficial?”
Jordan looked at Eric.
Then back at Maya.
“They get called difficult.”
Maya leaned back.
“How many people have been written up?”
Eric said:
“No one has been formally disciplined for refusing VIP priority.”
Maya looked at Jordan.
“That's not what I asked.”
Jordan whispered:
“Three.”
Eric stared at her.
Maya looked at him.
“Names.”
“Maya—”
“Names.”
He gave them.
One was Dr. Nina Patel.
Oliver’s cardiologist.
Maya stared.
“Dr. Patel was written up?”
“Not for refusal.”
“For communication.”
“Those are management words.”
Eric’s face reddened.
“She told a celebrity client that their behavior was abusive.”
“Was it?”
Silence.
Maya continued:
“Was it?”
“Yes.”
“Then what was the communication problem?”
Eric said nothing.
Maya looked toward Richard.
“This isn't a VIP policy.”
“This is an intimidation system.”
Richard rubbed his forehead.
“You’re right.”
“Stop telling me I’m right.”
Maya’s voice sharpened for the first time.
“Tell me how it happened.”
The room became silent.
Jordan looked toward Maya.
Not afraid now.
Curious.
Maya exhaled.
“Sorry.”
She looked at her.
“That was not directed at you.”
Jordan nodded.
Maya turned back to Richard.
“How?”
He answered slowly.
“Revenue pressure.”
“From whom?”
“Nolan.”
“Board?”
“Some.”
“Which board members?”
Richard hesitated.
Maya stared.