From the second-floor observation deck of the Greenbay Town Hospital, Hunter Mondiego stood silently, gazing through the wide glass window that overlooked the operating room. The room below buzzed with focused energy, but all of Hunter’s attention was drawn to one person—Dr. Angel Foster.
Dressed in sterile blue scrubs and a surgical cap that tucked away her long brown hair, Angel moved with precise confidence. Her gloved hands worked in perfect coordination with the team beside her. Her voice was calm, firm, and reassuring, barely audible through the overhead speaker system. Every now and then, she would tilt her head slightly, nodding as she monitored the patient’s vitals and gave out instructions. It was like watching a conductor leading an orchestra—one misstep could end a life, but there she was, composed and in control.
Hunter's breath caught in his throat. There she was—alive, right in front of him. He had searched for her in shadows, in cities, across connections and names. And now, fate had placed her in the same town, under the same sky once again. She looked different—slimmer, more serious—but she carried herself with the same passion he remembered. Despite the glass that separated them, her presence hit him like a wave.
As the surgery progressed and the patient was finally stabilized, Angel let out a soft sigh of relief and gave the team a tired but satisfied smile. The nurses congratulated her, and she simply nodded, already removing her gloves and preparing to clean up. Hunter stepped back from the glass, his heart thudding. He needed answers—but he also needed time.
He made his way down to the reception area, where he politely introduced himself to one of the staff.
“I’d like to speak with the hospital administrator,” he said, keeping his voice professional. “I’m Hunter Mondiego, here on behalf of the Mondiego Empire. We’ve been long-time benefactors of this facility, and I was asked to check on its progress.”
The receptionist nodded, clearly recognizing the name. “Of course, Mr. Mondiego. Please follow me. I’ll take you to Administrator Valeria.”
Moments later, Hunter was seated in a sunlit office across from a woman in her late forties, dressed in a neatly pressed blazer and wearing thin spectacles that sat perfectly on her nose. Her nameplate read Valeria L. Herrera – Hospital Administrator.
“Mr. Mondiego,” she greeted with a courteous smile, “It’s an honor to welcome a representative from the Mondiego Empire. I’ve been meaning to send a progress report soon, but it’s a pleasure to speak in person.”
Hunter returned the smile with a polite nod. “Thank you for seeing me on short notice. My brother Kian asked me to personally assess the changes here. It’s been brought to our attention that this clinic, which had remained stagnant for years, suddenly transitioned into a full-fledged town hospital in a matter of weeks. Naturally, we’re intrigued.”
Valeria chuckled lightly, adjusting her glasses. “Yes, it’s been quite the transformation. All thanks to one person—Dr. Angel Foster.”
Hunter kept his expression neutral. “I saw her earlier. She was performing surgery when I arrived. I’d like to know more—when did she get here, and how exactly did she manage to turn things around?”
Valeria’s eyes gleamed with admiration. “Dr. Foster arrived a month ago. She didn’t come with an entourage or high demands—just a suitcase and a drive to make a difference. At first, she was quiet, respectful. But within days, we noticed her work ethic. She was doing both administrative paperwork and surgical procedures, sometimes working through the night. She practically lived here for the first few weeks.”
Hunter’s jaw tightened slightly. He knew that kind of behavior—it was exactly like her to push herself for others, even at the expense of her own well-being.
“She took the initiative to review our existing funding records,” Valeria continued. “She pointed out discrepancies and realigned the budget toward actual needs. We later confirmed that small amounts had been misused over the years—nothing massive, but enough to hinder progress.”
“And now?” Hunter asked.
“Now,” Valeria said proudly, “we have ten full-time doctors on staff, not just one overworked physician. She restructured our outreach strategy too—made the hospital more accessible to nearby towns, tourists, and even the casino resort. Patient numbers have tripled, and so has our income. We’re still nonprofit, but we can now afford proper equipment, pay staff better, and maintain a standard of care we never imagined.”
Hunter leaned back, absorbing it all. So that’s what she had been doing—building something from scratch, pouring herself into healing others, even while she herself had disappeared without a word.
“She didn’t mention anything about where she came?” he asked carefully.
Valeria shook her head. “No. In fact, she insisted she had no affiliations. She mentioned she came here for a fresh start. She was very adamant about that.”
Hunter’s heart sank, but he kept his face calm. “Thank you, Administrator Herrera. This has been very helpful. I’ll compile my report and relay it back to the board.”
As he stood to leave, Valeria added, “You know, Mr. Mondiego, Dr. Foster is more than just a great doctor. She saved this hospital. We’re lucky to have her.”
Hunter gave a small smile. “Yes, you are.”
After leaving the office, he made his way to his parked car just outside the hospital. His mind buzzed with thoughts, but he needed time to process it all. He drove to the nearby shopping mall in silence, hoping the mundane act of running errands would help clear his head.
Inside, he filled his cart with groceries—snacks, water, some breakfast items. Just as he was about to leave, a jewelry shop near the exit caught his eye. On a whim, he entered.
He scanned the glass displays until he saw it—an elegant silver necklace with a half-heart pendant. Simple but meaningful. He bought it without hesitation. For a Mondiego, the price meant little. But for him, the gesture meant everything.
On the drive home, he passed a flower shop and stopped again. “A bouquet of white roses,” he ordered and instructed he will pick it up tomorrow.
At his rented house, he unpacked the groceries  then he called Celeste.
“I need you to oversee all operations in Southbay City while I’m here,” he told her. “There’s something important I have to take care of.”
There was a pause. Then her voice replied, “Got it. Good luck, Hunter.”
He ended the call and looked out the window toward the hospital.
“I’m bringing you home, Angel,” he whispered. “No matter what it takes.”