Chapter 16 - The Chief’s Betrayal
"You were the offshore account," I whispered, the realization hitting me like a physical blow to the chest.
"Daniel didn't invent this scam on his own."
"He was a resident when this started. He couldn't have authorized Phase Zero trials without an executive sponsor."
Finch didn't lower the scanner.
A cold, patronizing smile settled onto his lips, replacing the friendly mask he had worn for five years at hospital galas.
"Your mother was a brilliant researcher, Emma, but she was a terrible businesswoman," Finch sneered.
"She wanted to patent her heart valve and give the production license to public health clinics at cost."
"Do you have any idea how much money that would have cost this institution?"
"So you murdered her work?"
"We didn't murder anything," Finch said, stepping closer, his voice dropping into a menacing whisper.
"We monetized it."
"Daniel was ambitious, reckless, and stupid enough to put his name on the preliminary safety overrides."
"He thought he was climbing the ladder."
"In reality, he was just our legal insulation."
"And now that Daniel is facing prison, you’re using Vancorp to seize the remaining assets before the state finds out," I said.
"I’m cleaning up loose ends, Emma."
Finch reached into his pocket and pulled out a small digital flash drive.
"This contains every email your mother ever sent me, pleading for emergency grant money while she was coughing up blood."
"You think Whitaker is your protector?"
"Whitaker approved the sale of the patent rights to Vancorp five days before your mother slipped into a coma."
"He traded your family’s legacy to pay off the hospital’s debt."
"You’re lying," I said, though my voice betrayed the tremor in my soul.
May you like
"Check the signature on the primary bill of sale, my dear," Finch whispered, slipping past me into the dark corridor.
"And then ask yourself why Arthur Whitaker really brought you back to Chicago."
