Victoria’s Father
Chapter 07 - Victoria’s Father
Richard Sloan had been declared dead five years earlier.
His obituary described a visionary healthcare investor.
The body was cremated before Samuel could view it.
Elise told investigators Richard was alive at Green River when she was transferred.
He visited her twice each year, asking for the founder’s encryption code.
Police traced Victoria’s payments to a coastal property owned by Saint Alden’s charitable foundation.
Richard lived there under private medical care.
When arrested, he showed no surprise.
“You finally opened the basement,” he told Samuel.
Richard admitted creating the false identities and hiding Elise.
He called the scheme necessary financing.
Hospitals, he argued, survived by serving wealthy clients who paid for secrecy.
Samuel answered, “You sold the meaning of a medical record.”
Richard blamed Victoria for becoming reckless.
He had advised patience.
She wanted control before Daniel’s acquisition exposed the missing funds.
Victoria had arranged the confrontation in Grace’s room, forged the annulment, and planned to present her as unstable.
Richard offered a deal.
He would reveal every account if Grace surrendered the founder’s shares to the board.
Grace refused.
Richard looked at her stomach.
“Your child will inherit a collapsing hospital.”
“My child will not inherit your excuses.”
Detective Ortiz arrested him.
As officers led him away, Richard warned that Saint Alden would fail if the truth became public.
Samuel had heard the threat before.
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This time, he chose the institution’s purpose over its reputation.
He released the independent audit.
