Chapter 2 - The Web of Deceit
"I am a doctor, Mr. Sherman," Naomi replied, her gaze devoid of any warmth or mercy. "My job is to save patients. Your family drama is outside my jurisdiction. But the police have already been notified of an unauthorized administration of an experimental drug to a minor."
Before Elijah could lunge forward to stop her, two security guards flanked Cassandra, their hands resting firmly on her arms.
"Get your hands off me!" Cassandra screamed, thrashing violently as she tried to claw at the guards' faces. "Elijah! Do something! You're a billionaire! Buy this hospital! Sue them all!"
Elijah didn't move an inch. He stood frozen under the fluorescent lights, watching the woman he had trusted, the woman he had defended against his own instincts, being led down the corridor toward the security holding room.
The heavy metal doors swung shut behind Cassandra, cutting off her shrill screams.
Elijah turned slowly back to Naomi. The arrogance that had defined him for years—the impenetrable armor of immense wealth and untouchable corporate power—had completely shattered.
"Naomi," he murmured, taking a hesitant step forward. "I... I didn't know. When those bank statements came in... showing you transferring millions to an offshore account... Cassandra said she found them on your desk. She swore she was protecting me."
Naomi let out a short, humorless laugh that held no mirth. "And you believed her without asking me a single word. You threw me out onto the street in the rain while reporters flashed cameras in my face. You let that woman call me a gold digger while I stood there with my integrity as my only defense."
"I was a fool," Elijah whispered, his voice cracking as tears finally spilled over his lashes. "I was arrogant, and I was blind. But please... Toby needs you. You're the best pediatric specialist in the city. If you hadn't been on duty tonight..." He couldn't finish the sentence. The thought of losing his son was a physical blow that buckled his knees.
Naomi looked at him long and hard. Six months ago, she would have given anything to see him realize his mistake. Now, looking at the broken man before her, she felt only a profound, chilling detachment.
"Toby is my patient," Naomi said steadily. "He will receive the highest standard of care this hospital can provide. As for you, Mr. Sherman... I suggest you call your corporate legal team. Because Aethel-C doesn't just appear in a child's bag by accident. Someone inside your company leaked it."
Elijah’s eyes widened. "Leaked it?"
"Think about it," Naomi said, leaning slightly closer. "It’s an experimental drug worth billions if it passes FDA approval. But right now, it’s a liability. Someone wanted to eliminate the heir to the Sherman empire—and frame you for medical negligence or worse, destroy your company from the inside out."
Before Elijah could answer, his phone buzzed violently in his hand. He glanced at the screen. It was Marcus Vance, his chief legal counsel and senior vice president of Sherman Bio-Tech.
Elijah swiped to answer, his voice sharp. "Marcus. What is it?"
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Marcus’s voice came through the speaker, frantic and breathless. "Sir, we have an emergency at the corporate headquarters. The primary server room has been breached. All the clinical trial data for Aethel-C—including the toxicity logs—have been wiped clean. And... the board of directors has called an emergency session for 6:00 AM. They’re voting to oust you as CEO."
Elijah stared at the phone in absolute horror. The trap hadn't just been set for his son; it was designed to destroy his entire empire.
