Chapter 6 – The Grand Jury
By sunrise, the attempted murder inside Sterling Medical Center had become the country's biggest news story.
Satellite trucks lined the streets outside the hospital.
Television anchors speculated about the mysterious attack on billionaire philanthropist Marcus Thorne's pregnant wife. Reporters spoke in cautious tones, careful not to reveal information the FBI had not yet released.
Inside the hospital, however, the truth was moving much faster than the headlines.
Special Agent Rebecca Collins placed a thick folder on the conference table.
"We're requesting a federal grand jury."
Marcus looked up.
"Already?"
Rebecca nodded.
"The security footage."
"The financial records."
"The hired attacker."
"Together, they're enough to begin criminal proceedings."
David Sterling remained cautious.
"Enough to investigate."
"Not enough to convict."
Rebecca agreed.
"Which is why we need one more witness."
Marcus frowned.
"Isabella."
Across town, Isabella Rossi sat alone inside a federal holding room.
The elegant red gown she had worn to the gala had been replaced by a gray detention uniform.
For the first time in years, no makeup concealed the exhaustion beneath her eyes.
No designer jewelry reflected the lights.
No audience admired her performance.
Only silence.
The steel door opened.
Rebecca entered carrying a tablet.
She placed it on the table without speaking.
The screen displayed the hospital footage.
Every shove.
Every kick.
Every lie.
Every second.
Isabella watched in complete silence.
When the recording ended, Rebecca slid another document across the table.
Bank statements.
Offshore transfers.
Wire payments.
Monthly deposits.
Each one connected to shell companies controlled by Damian Voss.
Rebecca finally spoke.
"He paid you."
Isabella didn't answer.
"You assaulted a pregnant woman."
Silence.
"You helped conceal financial crimes."
Still nothing.
Rebecca leaned forward.
"The man who tried to kill Khloe last night?"
She paused.
"He wasn't sent to protect you."
"He was sent because you failed."
For the first time—
Isabella looked up.
"What?"
Rebecca quietly opened another file.
Inside were airport records.
Encrypted messages.
Private security contracts.
"The moment you were arrested..."
"Damian Voss booked a private flight to Switzerland."
Isabella stared at the photographs.
"He..."
Rebecca nodded.
"He abandoned you."
The room remained silent.
Then Rebecca delivered the final blow.
"The FBI intercepted one of his encrypted messages."
She slowly read it aloud.
"If Rossi talks, make sure she never reaches trial."
The words shattered whatever hope Isabella had been holding onto.
Her breathing became uneven.
"No..."
Rebecca held her gaze.
"You're disposable."
"Always were."
Tears finally escaped Isabella's eyes.
Not the carefully rehearsed tears she had shown Marcus.
Real ones.
"I never wanted this."
Rebecca answered calmly.
"Then help us end it."
Hours later, Marcus visited Khloe.
She was sitting up for the first time since the attack.
"The baby kicked," she said with a small smile.
Marcus gently rested his hand against her stomach.
A tiny movement answered him.
For the first time in days, both of them smiled.
Then David entered.
His expression told them the moment wouldn't last.
"Isabella has agreed to cooperate."
Marcus stood.
"What did she say?"
David looked directly at him.
"Damian Voss didn't just steal charity money."
"He ordered the deaths of three people who were about to expose him."
Marcus felt the room grow cold.
David continued.
May you like
"And according to Isabella..."
"Khloe was supposed to be the fourth."
