Chapter 8 - THE CLOSING NET
Outside the clinic, Sophia stepped into the waiting SUV. Ryan immediately pulled her into a fierce, trembling embrace, kissing her forehead over and over.
"You got it," Ryan breathed, listening to the crystal-clear recording playback on Elena’s laptop. "You actually got him to confess."
"We have the doctor's confession," Elena said, her fingers flying across her keyboard. "We have the offshore wire transfers connecting Marcus to Helios Ventures. We have the proof that the Tahoe photos were digitally composite deepfakes created by a hired agency in Nevada. We have everything."
"Not quite everything," Sophia said, looking out the window as the rain began to fall against the glass. "We still have Victoria."
"Why do we need Victoria?" Ryan asked. "We have enough to arrest Marcus right now!"
"Because," Sophia explained, turning to Ryan, "Victoria is carrying a baby. A child that is biologically your daughter's half-sibling, created as a pawn in Marcus’s sick game. Victoria isn't just an accomplice; she was manipulated too. Marcus promised her a fortune and a life of luxury, but he’s planning to abandon her the moment the board vote is over."
That evening, Sophia sent a direct text message to Victoria Sterling from an unknown number:
Meet me at the waterfront cafe in one hour. Alone. Or the federal police arrest you at your apartment for corporate conspiracy and illegal medical fraud.
An hour later, Victoria walked into the quiet, upscale waterfront cafe. She looked exhausted. The polished, arrogant facade she had displayed at the baby shower was crumbling under the weight of the national news scandal.
She sat down across from Sophia, crossing her arms defensively over her heavy bump.
"What do you want, Sophia?" Victoria spat bitterly. "You think threatening me scares me?"
Sophia pushed a laptop across the table toward her. On the screen was a playing video: Dr. Harrison Blake’s full confession, followed by a leaked audio recording of Marcus Vance speaking to his financial advisor.
Audio Voice (Marcus Vance): "Once the board strips Ryan of his shares, I’ll settle with Victoria for a couple hundred grand and file a court injunction to block her from the trust. She’s just a hired womb. She won't get a dime of the Vance estate."
Victoria froze. Her breath caught in her throat. Color drained entirely from her face as Marcus's cold, calculating words echoed from the laptop speakers.
"He... he told me we were going to raise the baby together..." Victoria whispered, her hands beginning to shake over her stomach. "He told me he loved me... that Ryan was corrupt and ruining the family firm..."
"Marcus doesn't love anyone," Sophia said gently, her tone surprisingly free of hatred. "He used my husband's body, he used your womb, and he used this innocent baby to steal a company. When the board vote happens on Friday, he will throw you in prison and leave you with nothing."
Tears finally welled up in Victoria’s eyes, spilling over her long dark lashes. The ruthless intruder from the baby shower vanished, leaving behind a terrified, manipulated woman.
"What... what am I going to do?" Victoria sobbed quietly, covering her face. "I have no money left. I spent everything setting up this cover..."
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Sophia reached across the table and placed her hand over Victoria’s trembling fingers.
"You are going to walk into that board meeting on Friday morning," Sophia said firmly. "And you are going to tell the truth."
