Chapter 13 - The Handcuffs Click
The heavy double doors of the boardroom swung open once again, but this time, it was filled with tactical officers from the FBI and local police detectives, led by Federal Agent Sarah Miller.
"Nobody move!" Agent Miller commanded, her badge flashing in the bright light. "Federal law enforcement! Keep your hands where we can see them!"
Julian tried to scramble under the boardroom table, but Captain Thomas stepped on his ankle, pinning him to the floor.
"Agent Miller," Clara said calmly, holding Lily securely. "The primary suspects are Julian Sterling and Arthur Pendelton. The digital evidence has already been uploaded to your secure field server."
Agent Miller checked her mobile device, nodding sharply. "We received the packet five minutes ago, Ms. Vance. The evidence is overwhelming."
Miller gestured to her officers. "Arrest them."
Two federal agents moved in, pulling Julian up from the floor and roughly forcing his arms behind his back. The metallic click of handcuffs echoed through the silent room.
"You can't do this to me!" Julian screamed, his face smeared with blood and tear tracks. "I am the majority shareholder of Sterling Capital! I own half this city!"
"You own a federal prison cell for the next thirty years, Mr. Sterling," Agent Miller replied coldly. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, illegal human experimentation, grand larceny, and corporate fraud."
As they dragged Julian past Clara, he glared at her with wild, defeated eyes. "You ruined everything... you dirty little..."
Clara stood tall, holding her head high. "You ruined yourself the moment you forgot that human lives matter more than your balance sheet."
Meanwhile, another pair of agents approached Arthur Pendelton. The proud chairman looked broken, his hands trembling as the cuffs were fastened around his wrists. He didn't say a word as he was led away in shame.
"Dr. Harrison is secured in the sub-basement," Marcus informed the lead agent. "And Brenda, the triage nurse who enforced their policy at the ER desk, is currently downstairs."
"We'll arrest every single person involved in this operation," Agent Miller assured Clara. "Medical investigators are already arriving to evacuate the victims from the sub-basement and transfer them to secure medical facilities."
Victoria Cole stood up from the board table and walked over to Clara, her eyes glistening with deep regret.
"Clara," Victoria said softly. "I am so deeply sorry. We were blind. We trusted Julian because he brought in high revenue, and we failed your father’s memory."
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"You can make it up to my father, Victoria," Clara said, her voice firm yet compassionate. "By helping me rebuild this hospital into what it was always meant to be."
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