Two hours later, the private patient room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center was quiet and peaceful. Lily lay tucked under a warm white blanket, fast asleep with a clean white bandage wrapped neatly around her legs and ankles.
Victoria stood by the large glass window overlooking the Los Angeles skyline, her cell phone pressed to her ear as her personal corporate attorney reported the afternoon updates.
Lawyer: Victoria, the LAPD cyber unit managed to extract the video file from Lily's phone before Julian could delete it from the cloud storage.
Victoria: Does the video show him opening the floor safe in the study?
Lawyer: Crystal clear. It shows him unlocking your late father's safe, removing twelve million dollars in physical bearer bonds, and signing your forged power-of-attorney documents.
Victoria: What about the board meeting scheduled for four o'clock today?
Lawyer: I took full control of the emergency board session thirty minutes ago. I presented the police report, the arrest records, and the estate property deeds. The board voted unanimously to remove Julian from all corporate positions effective immediately.
Victoria: Good. What about Evelyn's position on the board of trustees?
Lawyer: She voluntarily resigned ten minutes ago. She signed over all her remaining voting shares directly to you in exchange for not expanding the police investigation into her personal bank accounts.
Victoria: Ensure the legal transfer of those shares is finalized before midnight tonight.
Lawyer: It’s already being processed by the state registrar. You now hold seventy-five percent absolute ownership of Sterling Enterprises.
The heavy wood door of the hospital room clicked open, and Marcus stepped inside carrying a large plush teddy bear and a bouquet of fresh yellow roses.
Marcus: Excuse me, Miss Victoria. I brought these for Little Miss Lily from the security staff at the estate.
Victoria: Thank you, Marcus. Set them right on the table beside her bed. How is the mansion cleanup going?
Marcus: The broken display cabinet has been completely removed, the marble floor has been sanitized, and I hired a specialized contractor to replace the hallway glass with reinforced shatterproof panels.
Victoria: Good thinking. Did Evelyn stay at the house?
Marcus: No, ma'am. Mrs. Evelyn packed two suitcases and left for her sister's residence in San Diego. She said she couldn't face the press gathered at the front gates.
Victoria: Let her run. She enabled Julian's greed for years, and now she gets to watch him face trial from the sidelines.
Lily stirred softly under the blanket, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she looked around the sunlit hospital room.
Lily: Mommy...?
Victoria: I'm right here, sweetie. How are your legs feeling?
Lily: They don't hurt as much now... The doctor said I get to go home tomorrow!
Victoria: That's right, baby. And look what Marcus brought for you!
Lily’s eyes lit up as Marcus handed her the fluffy brown teddy bear, pulling it tight against her chest with a huge smile.
Lily: Thank you, Marcus! He's so soft!
Marcus: You're very welcome, Miss Lily. You were the bravest girl in Los Angeles today.
Victoria: You really were, sweetie. You saved our entire family from being ruined by your uncle.
Lily: Is Uncle Julian going to stay in trouble for a long time?
Victoria: Yes, he is. The judge is going to make sure he stays away from us for many, many years.
Victoria sat on the edge of the hospital bed, wrapping her arm around Lily’s shoulders as she held her close. The corporate empire was finally secured, the toxic family members were gone, and her daughter was safe and protected.