CHAPTER 8: THE ATTACK AT THE HOSPITAL
At 2:13 the following morning, a nurse entered Lauren’s hospital room carrying a syringe.
Sophia was asleep beside her mother.
Lauren opened her eyes.
“I didn’t request medication.”
The nurse smiled.
“It’s part of your treatment schedule.”
Lauren glanced at the badge attached to the woman’s uniform.
The photograph did not match her face.
Lauren reached for the call button.
The woman grabbed her wrist.
Sophia woke and screamed.
Before the syringe could touch Lauren’s arm, the door burst open.
Marcus tackled the attacker against the wall.
The syringe fell to the floor.
Alexander rushed inside and pulled Sophia away from the bed.
Hospital security restrained the woman.
She refused to speak.
The syringe was sent to the laboratory.
It contained a powerful dose of potassium chloride—enough to stop Lauren’s heart within minutes.
Alexander stared at the report.
The attempted murder transformed the investigation.
Federal agents were contacted.
The hospital was sealed.
Victoria immediately issued a public statement denying involvement and accusing Lauren of staging the incident for sympathy.
That statement became her second major mistake.
The syringe carried a partial fingerprint belonging to Daniel Voss, a former police detective who had worked as Victoria’s private security director for twelve years.
Voss disappeared before investigators could question him.
But Marcus discovered security footage showing Voss meeting Nathan Cole inside the Grand Plaza Hotel on the night of the birthday celebration.
Alexander called an emergency meeting of the Sterling Global board.
Victoria arrived with Nathan and six attorneys.
The directors sat around the long glass table as cameras recorded the proceedings.
Victoria took her usual seat.
Alexander remained standing.
“This meeting concerns the misuse of corporate resources, fraudulent financial transfers, forged legal documents, and attempted interference with a criminal investigation.”
Victoria smiled faintly.
“You are allowing personal emotion to damage this company.”
Alexander activated the screen behind him.
Bank records appeared.
Then emails.
Then security footage.
Finally, a photograph of Sophia beside the hotel dumpster filled the screen.
Several directors looked away.
Alexander placed Edward Sterling’s original trust document on the table.
“My father transferred thirty-eight percent of the family voting shares into an irrevocable trust for Sophia Sterling.”
Shock spread around the room.
Victoria’s confidence wavered.
“That document is invalid.”
“Samuel Brooks disagrees.”
The retired attorney entered through the side door.
Victoria stared at him.
Samuel sat beside Alexander.
“I drafted the trust,” he said. “I witnessed Edward Sterling sign it. I also witnessed Nathan Cole attempt to replace it after Edward’s death.”
Every face turned toward Nathan.
He remained silent.
Alexander continued.
“Effective immediately, I am petitioning the court to recognize Sophia’s controlling interest and remove Victoria Sterling from every corporate position.”
Victoria stood.
“You cannot do this.”
“I already have.”
“You will destroy your father’s company.”
“No.”
Alexander looked at the photograph of his daughter.
“I’m saving it from the people who destroyed his family.”
Two federal agents entered the boardroom.
They approached Nathan.
“Nathan Cole, we have a warrant for your arrest on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.”
Victoria took a step backward.
Nathan’s composure finally broke.
He looked at her.
“You said the evidence was gone.”
The room became silent.
Victoria’s face changed.
For one brief moment, Alexander saw the truth clearly.
Nathan was afraid of her.
As agents placed him in handcuffs, Nathan turned toward Alexander.
“You think your mother planned everything.”
Alexander watched him carefully.
Nathan gave a bitter smile.
“She didn’t.”
Then the agents led him away.
May you like
Victoria refused to look at anyone.
And Alexander realized another secret was still hidden beneath the first.
