Chapter 11 - THE SHADOW OF THE PRIVATE CLINIC
The success of the Civic Architecture Gala brought Sienna into the national spotlight, but with high visibility came the lingering remnants of the conspiracy.
On a rainy Monday morning, State Prosecutor Evelyn Reed returned to the Ferrante estate. She sat in Nico’s study alongside Sienna and Mark, spreading out a fresh set of legal briefs across the heavy oak table.
"Gavin and Marjorie’s criminal trial is finalized, and their prison sentences are secured," Prosecutor Reed began, her expression grim. "However, Dr. Julian Sterling’s defense team is trying to file for a plea bargain by turning state’s evidence against a silent partner."
Sienna frowned, setting her coffee cup down. "A silent partner? I thought Sterling acted under Marjorie’s direct bribe."
"Marjorie provided the cash, but she didn't possess the medical clearance to establish that illegal private clinic," Reed explained. "The facility was co-owned by Dr. Victor Vance—a corrupt former medical board director with deep ties to offshore organ trafficking and black-market adoptions. Vance escaped the initial raid six months ago, but his lawyers are currently attempting to freeze the Ferrante Development Group’s civic grants by claiming the land where your green housing project sits was acquired through disputed medical trust funds."
Nico’s eyes hardened, his hand gripping the armrest of his leather chair. "Victor Vance... he was stripped of his license fifteen years ago for falsifying birth certificates."
"He’s desperate," Reed said. "With Sterling in prison, Vance is trying to blackmail the estate into settling out of court for twenty million dollars, threatening to release forged medical records claiming baby Elena was born under questionable legal custody."
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Mark stepped forward, his jaw set tightly. "Mr. Ferrante, let me handle Vance. We know his contacts in the docks district."
"No," Nico said firmly, standing up and looking out the rain-slicked window. "We do not fight shadow games in the dark anymore, Mark. We bring Victor Vance into the bright light of the law, where he belongs."
