Chapter 5 - The Morning Press
By sunrise, the front pages of every major newspaper in the country featured the same headline: THE HOUSE OF CARDS: CONRAD VALE’S EMPIRE COLLAPSES AMID KIDNAPPING AND FRAUD CHARGES.
Television networks broadcasted live helicopter footage of federal agents hauling boxes of evidence out of both the Manhattan penthouse and Hawthorne House. The myth of the benevolent billionaire was shattered forever, replaced by the sordid reality of a man who viewed his own flesh and blood as collateral.
Inside the safe haven of a private medical facility in Manhattan, Noah sat propped up against crisp white pillows, eating a bowl of oatmeal with fresh berries. He was wearing soft cotton pajamas that didn't scratch his skin, and the harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital were softened by warm amber lamps Evelyn had brought in from home.
Lily sat at the foot of the bed, proudly showing him how to play a logic puzzle on her tablet.
"You're really smart," Lily said earnestly, watching as Noah solved a difficult pattern in seconds. "You're better at this than my dad."
Noah offered a small, hesitant smile—the first real smile Evelyn had seen touch his face since the reunion. He glanced sideways at Evelyn, who sat in a chair beside the bed, holding his hand in hers.
"Am I going back to the room?" he asked quietly, his fingers tightening around her thumb.
"Never," Evelyn said, leaning down to press her lips against his forehead. "You are never going back anywhere you don't want to be. Today, we’re going shopping for your own room. You can pick any color you want. Even blue."
Noah’s eyes widened slightly. "Can I have a dog?"
"As many dogs as the house will hold," Evelyn promised, feeling a profound, aching wave of relief wash over her chest.
A soft knock at the door interrupted them. Julian entered, holding a fresh legal brief and a tablet displaying breaking financial news.
"The board of directors just held an emergency pre-dawn vote," Julian announced, a rare grin breaking across his usually stoic face. "They’ve unanimously stripped Conrad of all voting shares, removed his name from the foundation, and appointed you as the interim CEO, Evelyn."
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Evelyn let out a long breath she felt like she had been holding for eight years. "And my father?"
"Arraignment is set for ten o'clock this morning," Julian replied. "No bail. The judge cited flight risk and the severity of the new obstruction charges."
