Chapter 5 - THE HOSPITAL ROOM AND THE HIDDEN FILEThree days later, the sterile scent of a private VIP hospital room replaced the suffocating luxury of the Sterling mansion.
Leo lay propped up against soft white pillows, eating strawberry ice cream while a team of elite pediatric specialists checked his vitals. Physically, he was malnourished and exhausted; mentally, he was remarkably resilient, fortified by the fierce, protective presence of his father sitting right beside the bed.
Arthur hadn't left the room once. He sat in a leather armchair, reviewing a thick stack of financial documents brought to him by his corporate legal counsel, Marcus Vance.
"Arthur," Marcus said, adjusting his glasses and lowering his voice so Leo wouldn't hear. "We’ve audited Victoria’s personal accounts. Not only did she forge the death certificate from the Swiss clinic three years ago, but she also systematically transferred over forty million dollars into offshore shell companies."
Arthur didn't look up from the papers. His eyes remained fixed on a specific line item. "And the doctor who signed the original death certificate?"
"Dr. Alistair Vance—no relation to me," Marcus added quickly. "He fled the country two hours after Victoria was arrested. But that's not the worst of it. Look at the last page of the asset transfer report."
Arthur flipped the page. His brow furrowed deeply. "What am I looking at?"
"That wasn't just Victoria’s independent greed," Marcus said grimly. "The offshore accounts trace directly back to a parent corporation. A holding company registered under a name we haven't heard in five years."
May you like
Arthur’s breath caught. "Whose name?"
"Your former Chief Operating Officer, Julian Thorne," Marcus whispered. "The man you fired for embezzlement right before you married Victoria."
