Chapter 13 - The Broadcast
The screen of the wall-mounted television flickered as the local news anchor’s face was replaced by a live helicopter shot hovering above the grand entrance of the Vance estate. The crystal chandelier in the opulent foyer was clearly visible through the open double doors, casting a harsh, mocking glow over the flashing red and blue lights of half a dozen police cruisers and an ambulance.
“Breaking news tonight from the Vance estate on the outskirts of the county,” the anchor’s voice droned through the hospital room speakers, crisp and breathless with professional excitement. “Authorities have confirmed that an intensive investigation is underway following the arrest of prominent socialite Victoria Vance for attempted murder and corporate fraud. However, late-breaking developments from the county sheriff’s department suggest this may be only the tip of the iceberg.”
Julian stared at the screen, his fingers gripping the edge of the metal cart until his knuckles turned white. Sheriff Miller stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he watched the footage zoom in on the library windows where police technicians were carrying out boxes of documents and charred paper scraps.
“According to leaked documents obtained by our investigative team,” the anchor continued, “the Vance estate has been the center of a decades-long conspiracy involving offshore accounts in Geneva, falsified birth records, and a web of systematic poisonings linked to a European pharmaceutical syndicate known as the Sterling Group.”
Julian turned his head to look at the sheriff. “The Sterling Group? I’ve never heard of them.”
“Your father’s deposition mentioned them briefly,” Sheriff Miller muttered, pulling a small notebook from his pocket and flipping through the pages. “They’re a shadow corporation based out of Zurich that specializes in corporate acquisitions through biological leverage. They engineer hostile takeovers by replacing corporate heirs with operatives trained from birth to infiltrate wealthy dynasties.”
Julian felt a cold shriek of horror echo in his chest. He looked back at the television screen, where the helicopter camera had shifted to show Martha being led out of a side entrance of the mansion by two deputies, her hands cuffed loosely in front of her, her head held high as she was guided toward an unmarked vehicle.
“Wait,” Julian said, pointing frantically at the screen. “Why are they arresting Martha? She saved Leo’s life!”
Sheriff Miller’s face darkened instantly. He reached for his radio, pressing the receiver to his mouth. “Dispatch, this is Sheriff Miller. Status on the east wing arrest at the Vance estate? Over.”
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A burst of static crackled from the handheld speaker before the dispatcher’s tense voice cut through the noise. “Sheriff, you need to get back to the estate immediately. The maid... she wasn't a servant. Her real name is Dr. Martha Sterling, lead geneticist for the Sterling Group and Victoria Vance’s biological aunt. She didn't save the boy out of kindness, Sheriff. She was running the final phase of the infiltration protocol.”
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