Chapter 7 The Invisible War

Chapter 7

Ethan stared at the document in the lawyer's hand, unable to make his arms reach out and take it.

"Our legal team requested that all recordings be preserved pending an internal investigation," the attorney explained, turning toward Ethan with a respectful nod. "It is entirely clear from what we’ve reviewed that you slipped on a wet floor while cleaning, making you push the boardroom doors open by accident. There is no evidence of data theft, no digital footprint of corporate spying, and no probable cause for your arrest. The precinct acted... prematurely."

The Police Commissioner stepped forward, clearing his throat nervously. "Mr. Cole, please... pardon me. Mr. Sterling. On behalf of the entire department, I want to offer our deepest apologies for the oversight. The officers involved will face immediate disciplinary review, and you have my word they will be suspended without pay pending a thorough tribunal."

For the first time in eighteen agonizing hours, Ethan was free. He looked down at his wrists, it was a bit swollen. However, Victor’s eyes followed Ethan’s gaze and landed on swollen wrist. His expression changed causing the captain to take a hasty step backward. 

"I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling," the commissioner stammered, backing away nervously. "If there's anything else we can do to rectify this..."

"I'll be in touch," Victor said softly. It sounded like a death sentence.

Then, Victor turned back to Ethan. "Come," he said gently. "Let's get you out of here."

Ethan stood up on shaky legs. He took a single step toward the cell exit but stopped, grabbing the iron bars for support as he looked at his grandfather.

"My mother," Ethan rasped, ignoring the stinging pain in his wrists and the deep ache in his ribs. "What about my mother? Is she safe? They were going to stop treatment."

The captain, who was eager to redeem himself, spoke quickly.

“Yes, sir. Sterling Global’s private medical team arrived at City General Hospital twenty minutes ago. Mrs. Mary Cole has been transferred to the city’s best private hospital under the care of the chief neurosurgeon. She’s on life support, and her condition is stable.”

Ethan’s knees nearly gave way. He grabbed the doorframe for support.

“She’s stable?” he whispered. “My mom… she’s okay?”

Victor stepped closer.

“She’s receiving the best treatment available. I give you my word, Ethan. We’ll do everything possible to save her. You’ll never have to worry about medical bills again.”

Ethan shut his eyes as he took a deep breath. For the first time in over a day, he could breathe well. His mother was alive and still had a chance.

When he looked up, Victor was watching him with so much pride. Ethan’s first thought after everything he’d suffered had been his mother.

Victor turned to his attorney.

“Mr. Vance.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I want every recording from Hart Group’s forty-fifth floor secured immediately. If even one second is missing, buy the security company managing their system and replace everyone responsible. Then inform Miss Sophia Hart that I expect her in my office tomorrow morning at eight.”

“Understood, sir.”

Ethan frowned.

Sophia Hart.

He knew that name. She appeared on business magazines and financial news all the time. The Hart Group heiress…That had accused him of stealing. She's smart, ruthless and impossible to intimidate.

Victor faced Ethan again.

“Shall we?”

Ethan nodded and followed him through the station. The same officers who had mocked him now stepped aside, lowering their heads in shame and respect. No one dared meet his eyes.

Only hours ago, they had treated him like trash. When they reached the exit, Ethan suddenly stopped. His reflection stared back from the glass. His blue sanitation uniform was torn and stained with dust, sweat, and dried blood. His hair was a mess. He looked exactly like the criminal they had accused him of being.

“I can’t leave like this,” Ethan said quietly. “Look at me. I smell like a jail cell.”

Victor looked him over without the slightest disgust. He rested a hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “My grandson has nothing to be ashamed of.”

He paused and looked around. And when he spoke again, he made sure his voice was loud for people to hear. “The people who put you in these clothes should be ashamed of themselves. Come.”

The automatic glass doors slid open, Ethan stepped outside and froze. The entire street had been cleared.

Ten identical black Rolls-Royces were parked in a perfect line outside the station. More than a dozen bodyguards in black matching suits, earpieces, and sunglasses stood at attention, forming a flawless, protective human wall from the station doors all the way to the center vehicle. 

Even the police outside stood silently on the sidewalk.

Ethan stared at the convoy in awe. “All… all of this is for you?”

Victor smiled. “No, Ethan.” He placed a hand on Ethan’s back. “It’s for us.”

Ethan could only nod. One of the bodyguards stepped forward, opened the rear door, and bowed.

Victor entered, ushering Ethan to come in. Ethan reluctantly entered, sinking into the soft leather seat. The door closed, shutting out every sound from the street.

The driver started the engine.

Moments later, the convoy pulled away, moving effortlessly through the streets of Manhattan.

Ethan leaned back and watched the police station disappear through the tinted window. It was over or so he thought.

Victor’s private phone rang.

He answered immediately. For several seconds, he listened without saying a word. But the warmth had disappeared from his face and his expression looked cold.

“Secure the scene,” Victor said quietly. “No one touches anything until I arrive.”

Then, he ended the call and tightened his grip around his cane.

Ethan’s heart sank. “What happened?” he asked. “Is it my mother?”

“Your mother is safe.”

Victor’s eyes remained fixed on the window. “But someone broke into the Hart Group server room ten minutes ago.”

Ethan felt his chest tighten.

“The surveillance system for the forty-fifth floor has been destroyed.”

His face turned pale. “The footage…” he whispered. Images of Damien’s smug smile flashed through his mind. “The recording that proves I was framed…”

Victor finally looked at him.

“It’s gone?”

For a long moment, Victor said nothing. Then, he took a deep breath. “Someone is doing everything they can to make sure you never prove your innocence.”