Chapter 6 - The UnravelingThe paramedics transferred Clara and her newborn daughter onto a rolling gurney, wrapping them in warm thermal blankets for transport to St. Jude’s Women’s Hospital. As the stretcher rolled past the cubicles, the staff—who had gathered by the central hallway—began to applaud. It began hesitantly with Elena, then spread like wildfire, a resounding ovation of solidarity and relief that echoed across the high ceilings.
Clara caught Frank’s eye as she passed. She tried to sit up, but Frank gently touched her shoulder. "Rest now, Clara. The hospital’s private pavilion has been prepared for you. Everything your daughter needs for the next decade has already been arranged."
"Thank you, Frank," she whispered, her voice fragile but steadying. "Thank you for seeing me."
"You were never invisible, Clara," he said softly.
Once the elevator doors closed behind the medical team, the festive warmth vanished, replaced by an icy, judicial stillness. Frank turned back toward Arthur, who looked distinctly smaller, his tailored suit hanging loosely on his trembling frame.
"Now, Mr. Vance," Frank said, stepping closer. "Let us talk about your 'protocol.'"
Ward opened a slim black leather portfolio, presenting a series of certified bank audit records. "For the past eighteen months, Arthur Vance has redirected over fourteen million dollars from Vanguard’s operational development fund into private dummy corporations registered in the Cayman Islands. Clara Hayes uncovered the discrepancies three days ago and scheduled an internal disclosure meeting for this morning."
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Arthur swallowed dryly. "Those transfers were authorized investments! Strategic risk mitigation!"
"You were stealing from your employees' pension reserves to cover your failed margin calls on private commodity markets," Ward replied mercilessly. "And when Mrs. Hayes refused to look the other way, you decided to use her pregnancy as an excuse to humiliate her, ruin her professional credibility, and throw her onto the pavement."
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