Chapter 9 - The Charity Gala
I ran across the room and threw my arms desperately around my husband's neck, sobbing uncontrollably into his shoulder.
Nathan held me incredibly tight, burying his face in my damp hair and whispering quiet apologies over and over again.
"I have been working as a confidential informant for the FBI for the past two years," Nathan finally explained.
He revealed that he discovered Sterling's organ harvesting ring early on and immediately contacted federal authorities.
The dramatic arrest in his office was a staged extraction designed to pull him safely out of Sterling's deadly crosshairs.
He had to pretend to take me hostage so the corrupt local police would not suspect I was secretly involved.
"Vanessa is actually a notorious cartel fixer the FBI has been hunting across the globe for a decade," the Director added grimly.
"Tonight, we are going to burn their entire criminal empire completely to the ground," Nathan promised, his eyes burning with fierce determination.
The federal agents provided me with a stunning, floor-length crimson evening gown and a discreet, high-tech wire transmitter.
A few hours later, Nathan and I stepped out of a sleek black town car in front of the grand hospital ballroom.
The charity gala was packed tightly with wealthy donors, corrupt politicians, and oblivious medical professionals sipping expensive champagne.
I took a deep breath, linked my arm through Nathan's, and walked proudly through the massive golden doors.
The entire ballroom went completely silent as the crowd recognized the Chief Surgeon they believed was sitting in a jail cell.
Dr. Sterling dropped his crystal glass, his face turning incredibly pale as he stared at us in sheer, undeniable terror.
Vanessa was standing right beside him, her eyes narrowing into dangerous, calculated slits of pure hatred.
"Good evening, Dr. Sterling, I believe you owe the federal government an explanation regarding L. Monroe," I announced loudly and clearly.
My voice carried perfectly through the silent room, broadcasting directly into the earpieces of fifty hidden federal agents.
Sterling tried to laugh it off, but the sheer panic in his eyes betrayed his immense, suffocating guilt.
"This is an absolute outrage, Pierce is a wanted murderer!" Sterling shouted, pointing a shaking finger at my husband.
"The FBI already has your recorded confession from the yacht, Doctor," I stated calmly, smiling with victorious satisfaction.
Realizing she was completely trapped, Vanessa suddenly pulled a silver handgun from her elegant designer evening bag.
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She aimed the weapon directly at my heart with lightning speed and pulled the trigger without a single moment of hesitation.
Nathan leaped fiercely in front of me just as the deafening gunshot violently shattered the silence of the ballroom.
