Chapter 14: The Final Move Against Victor Hale
The interrogation room was exactly how people imagined.
Cold.
Empty.
Uncomfortable.
But I wasn't afraid.
Fear belonged to people who had something to hide.
I didn't.
The detective placed the documents on the table.
"We need your explanation.""
I looked at them.
"My explanation is simple.""
I pointed at the papers.
"Someone forged my identity.""
"We know.""
That surprised me.
"You do?""
Detective Mason nodded.
"We found inconsistencies.""
"Then why am I here?""
"Because someone wanted you here.""
I leaned back.
"Victor Hale.""
The detective didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
His silence confirmed everything.
"How long have you suspected him?""
"Long enough.""
I looked at him.
"And you didn't tell me?""
"Because we needed evidence.""
I understood.
Annoying.
But understandable.
"What evidence do you have?""
He opened a folder.
"We traced the fake prescription.""
My attention sharpened.
"It came from a computer inside Hale Foundation headquarters.""
I wasn't surprised.
But I needed more.
"Can you prove Victor ordered it?""
"Not yet.""
I nodded.
"Then we need him to reveal himself.""
The detective looked at me.
"You have a plan?""
I smiled slightly.
"Yes.""
For the first time in days...
I felt like myself again.
Not Clara the betrayed wife.
Not Clara the accused woman.
Dr. Clara Whitmore.
The woman who solved problems.
The woman who refused to disappear.
Later that evening, I returned to the hospital.
Julian was waiting.
"You went to the police station.""
"Yes.""
"Are you okay?""
I looked at him.
That question would have meant everything months ago.
Now it was complicated.
"I'm alive.""
His expression fell.
"I deserve that.""
"Yes.""
I sat down.
"But if you really want to help me...""
"I do.""
"Then stop protecting people.""
He nodded.
"I will.""
"Even Serena?""
A pause.
Then:
"Especially Serena.""
That surprised me.
"What happened?""
Julian looked away.
"I found something.""
He handed me his phone.
A video file.
"What is this?""
"Watch.""
I opened it.
The recording showed Victor Hale meeting someone.
Someone I recognized.
Arthur.
My father-in-law.
I froze.
"What?""
Julian looked miserable.
"My father worked with Victor.""
The room spun.
"No.""
"Yes.""
"For how long?""
"Years.""
I stared at the screen.
Arthur.
The man who acted like he was protecting his family.
The man who blamed me.
The man who demanded I sign the surgery papers.
He was involved.
I felt anger rise.
But beneath it...
I felt disappointment.
Because I was running out of people to trust.
"What were they discussing?""
Julian answered quietly.
"How to control the company after I was gone.""
My blood turned cold.
"After you were gone?""
Julian nodded.
"They weren't trying to scare me.""
He looked at me.
"They were preparing for my death.""
The room went silent.
Everything connected.
The collapse.
The fake prescription.
The stolen research.
The accusations against me.
It wasn't random.
It was an operation.
A carefully planned operation.
And Arthur was part of it.
I stood.
"I need to talk to your father.""
Julian looked worried.
"Clara.""
"No.""
I picked up the phone.
"This ends now.""
When Arthur arrived, he looked surprised to see me.
Then he saw Julian.
Then he saw the detective standing nearby.
His expression changed.
"What is this?""
I placed the video in front of him.
"Explain.""
Arthur watched.
And the color drained from his face.
"You don't understand.""
I shook my head.
"Everyone keeps saying that.""
I stepped closer.
"But now I do.""
He looked at Julian.
"Son...""
Julian turned away.
For the first time, Arthur looked powerless.
"Victor promised he would protect the family.""
I laughed.
"By destroying innocent people?""
"He said it was necessary.""
"Necessary?""
I stared at him.
"You almost let your own son die.""
Arthur's eyes filled with regret.
"I made mistakes.""
"No.""
I looked at him.
"You made choices.""
The detective stepped forward.
"Arthur Whitmore, you are going to need legal representation.""
Arthur didn't fight.
He just looked tired.
After he was taken away, Julian sat silently.
I looked out the hospital window.
The city lights reflected against the glass.
For the first time in days...
I felt something close to peace.
But one person remained.
Victor Hale.
May you like
The man who started everything.
And I knew he wouldn't surrender easily.
