Chapter 7 - The Media Siege
By noon, Arthur Vance was sitting in a holding cell at the Federal Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago.
News of the billionaire tycoon’s arrest erupted across every major media network in the country. Headlines flashed across CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News:
“Billionaire Real Estate Mogul Arthur Vance Arrested in Federal Raid!” “Miracle Cure or Kidnapping? The Mysterious Infant at the Center of the Vance Scandal!”
Dr. Harrison Croft held a live press conference on the steps of the federal courthouse, flanked by public relations specialists.
“Mr. Vance has suffered a severe psychological break,” Croft lied smoothly into the television cameras. “He has illegally detained a child suffering from a rare, volatile neurological condition that requires immediate, specialized medical isolation at our facility. We appeal to Mr. Vance’s family to return the child before her condition deteriorates!”
Inside the federal holding cell, Arthur sat on a steel bench, completely unfazed.
The cell door clicked open.
Victoria stepped inside, carrying a thick binder of documents. A triumphant, vicious smile was plastered across her face.
“Dad,” Victoria said, sitting down across from him. “Croft just walked right into our trap.”
Arthur smiled softly. “Tell me.”
“While Croft was busy giving his news conference,” Victoria explained, opening her binder, “Marcus and our investigative team executed a raid on the off-grid Vanguard lab outside the city, backed by local state troopers who are loyal to you.”
Victoria slid three glossy photographs across the metal table.
They showed rows of illegal animal test cages, forged medical consent forms bearing the stolen signature of Hope’s late mother, and encrypted server logs detailing Croft’s negotiations to sell biological serum samples to an overseas cartel for eighty million dollars.
“Furthermore,” Victoria continued, her voice filled with pride, “Leo gave a recorded video deposition detailing how he witnessed Croft’s team illegally holding Hope in isolation. The State Attorney General just reviewed the file fifteen minutes ago.”
Arthur stood up from the bench, smoothing his jacket. “And the federal warrant against me?”
“Dismissed,” Victoria declared, popping open her leather briefcase. “The Seventh Circuit judge who signed Croft’s warrant was just suspended pending an immediate federal corruption investigation. You’re a free man, Dad.”
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The cell door swung open wide. Two federal guards stepped aside, bowing their heads respectfully.
“Let's go finish this,” Arthur said.
