Chapter 2: The Truth No One Expected
Outside the hospital, nearly thirty reporters had already gathered.
Nobody knew why luxury SUVs, police vehicles, and executives from Sterling Medical Group had suddenly arrived at midnight.
Then the elevator doors opened.
Elena stepped out.
She moved slowly, one hand protecting her swollen stomach.
Her hospital gown had been replaced with a soft cream maternity dress.
Beside her walked her uncle—
Dr. Samuel Whitmore.
Chairman of Sterling Medical Group.
Director of every hospital in the network.
The crowd exploded with questions.
"Cameras rolling!"
"Is it true your husband assaulted you?"
"Doctor Whitmore, will charges be filed?"
Samuel ignored every microphone.
Instead, he helped Elena into a wheelchair despite her insistence she could walk.
Family came first.
Always.
Inside the lobby, Marcus watched the live television broadcast.
His breathing became shallow.
Vanessa grabbed his arm.
"Say something!"
"I..."
His voice disappeared.
Then another notification appeared across every financial news channel.
STERLING CAPITAL ANNOUNCES IMMEDIATE TERMINATION OF ALL PARTNERSHIPS WITH MERCER DEVELOPMENT.
Another followed.
THREE MAJOR BANKS FREEZE PENDING CREDIT FACILITIES.
Then another.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CALLS EMERGENCY VOTE.
Marcus finally understood.
Richard hadn't ruined him through revenge.
May you like
He had simply stopped protecting him.
And the empire Marcus thought he had built alone collapsed within minutes.
