Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 193

She finished writing and tossed the pen aside.

"This is so damn frustrating."

Wren stared at the whiteboard.

The sentence she had written two days ago was still there.

You have the right to say no.

Now, it felt like a cruel joke.

They were fighting for the patients' right to say no, yet their own project was being suffocated before it could take a single step forward.

Julian York's call came in right at that moment.

Wren answered it.

It was quiet on his end, likely a hospital corridor.

"I heard the Ethics Board sent their reply."

"Yes."

"Suspended?"

"Third-party audit. Four to six weeks."

There was a brief pause on the line.

Julian didn't offer empty platitudes like not to panic.

He simply said, "The hospital just received the notice. The preliminary patient communication meetings are canceled."

Wren closed her eyes tightly.

Another twist of the knife.

Julian continued, "A couple of families asked me if something went wrong with the project. I didn't over-explain, just told them it was a procedural adjustment."

Wren stared blankly at the documents on the table.

"Thank you."

"Wren," Julian called her name softly.

"Yes?"

"The project pausing doesn't mean you did anything wrong."

Wren didn't say anything.

Everyone in the conference room was dead silent.

Someone called for Julian in the background. He acknowledged them before turning back to the phone. "I'll send you the hospital's official feedback later. Get back to work."

The line went dead.

Maya pushed her chair back abruptly. "I'm going to revise the materials."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "Which ones?"

"All of them," Maya said, scooping up her laptop. "They want the raw process? Fine. I'll show them everything. I'll screen-record exactly how every button is designed, how every consent can be revoked, and where patients can click to opt out."

She stormed to the door, then whipped around.

"And since that anonymous tip claimed we're using patient protection for PR, let's pull all our press releases."

"I was just thinking about how impeccable their timing is."

Phoebe knew exactly who she meant. The anonymous warning was entirely too convenient.

Her boy had just had a breakdown, her mediation was tomorrow, and now Stellaris had been dragged into a massive audit.

Stacking them all up like this—it was no coincidence.

"Langford Medical?"

"Maybe."

"Willow?"

"Also possible."

"What about Lawrence?"

Wren fell silent for a long moment.

"He might not have orchestrated it, but he'll definitely use it to his advantage."

Phoebe didn't disagree.

Outside the office, Maya was already shouting orders at the engineering team. Her rapid-fire voice carried clearly through the glass walls.

"Screen-record everything."

"Don't pretty it up. Use the raw interface."

"If I see one more person use the phrase 'empowering the patient,' I'll personally shove them into the Ethics Board's inbox!"