The heavy oak lid shifted, scraping against brass fittings with a sound that seemed to slice through the suffocating air of the crematorium chapel. The three workers pulled it back, their faces rigid with professional detachment.

She ran toward the elevators, bypassing the front desk. She slammed her thumb against the button for the 4th floor—the Intensive Care Unit.

When the doors opened, her worst fears were confirmed.

Two armed private security guards in black tactical uniforms were stationed outside Arthur Vance’s room. In the hallway, Julian and Victoria were standing alongside a judge wearing a heavy overcoat, holding a signed legal document.

"It's done," Julian was saying to the lead doctor, his voice dripping with fake sorrow. "The honorable Judge Miller has signed the emergency order. Our father's living will clearly states no artificial prolonging of life. Disconnect the ventilators."

"Stop! DON'T TOUCH HIM!"

Emily’s voice echoed down the sterile hallway. She charged forward, but the two tactical guards immediately stepped into her path, grabbing her arms and shoving her back.

"Get your hands off her!" Dr. Harrison came running out of the ICU room, stepping between the guards and Emily. "This is a hospital, not a corporate battlefield! What is going on here?"

"This girl is trespassing," Julian said smoothly, adjusting his silk tie. "She's unstable, Doctor. She just broke into our father's private estate. We’re having her removed."

"Julian, you murderer!" Emily screamed, struggling against the guards' iron grip. "Sterling tried to shoot me at the house! He confessed everything! He told me you paid him to poison Dad!"

Victoria gasped, her face going pale, but Julian merely laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "Dr. Sterling? The family physician who went missing hours ago? You expect anyone to believe he was at our house shooting at you? Where is the gun, Emily? Where is Dr. Sterling?"

Emily hesitated. She had no physical proof of Sterling’s attack in the study—only the flash drive tucked securely inside her inner pocket.

"See?" Julian sneered, turning back to the hospital staff. "She's delusional. Officer, take her out."

"Wait!" Emily yelled, looking directly at Judge Miller. "Your Honor! Before you let them pull the plug on Arthur Vance, you need to know what’s on this!"

She pulled the black, military-grade flash drive from her wet coat and held it up high.

Julian’s arrogant smile instantly vanished. His eyes widened in genuine panic. Victoria gripped Julian’s arm so hard her knuckles turned white.

"Where... where did you get that?" Julian whispered, his voice suddenly losing all its polished control.

"From the master vault," Emily said, her voice steadying. "The vault only Arthur Vance could open. And he gave me the code before he was put in that coffin."

"That drive is proprietary corporate property of Vance Global!" Julian shouted, taking a step toward her. "Give it to me now!"

"No," Dr. Harrison barked, stepping in front of Julian. "If that drive contains medical or legal evidence regarding Mr. Vance's condition, it must be reviewed by the court before any life support is terminated!"

Judge Miller raised his hand, his eyes scanning Julian’s panicked expression. "Hold on. Mr. Vance, why are you so agitated about a flash drive if your father is simply dying of natural causes?"