Chapter 3
Inside the sterile emergency trauma room at Mercy General Hospital, medical equipment beeped in a frantic, unbroken rhythm. Doctors and nurses swarmed around Lily's bed, pumping activated charcoal and administering emergency antidote injections.
Ethan stood outside the glass observation window, his khaki pants and navy blue sweater soaked in nervous sweat. His hands were clenched into tight fists inside his pockets, his knuckles turning pure white under the fluorescent hospital lights.
A senior toxicologist walked out of the double doors, removing his surgical mask and looking grimly at the anxious father. "The lab panel confirms heavy-duty neurotoxin present in her system, Mr. Hayes; she was deliberately poisoned over several days," the doctor stated.
Ethan closed his eyes for three long seconds, a single tear escaping his restraint and tracing down his cheek. "Will she survive this, Doctor?" Ethan asked, his voice cracking slightly despite his immense effort to remain composed.
"We've stabilized her breathing for now, but the next twenty-four hours will determine if there is permanent neurological damage," the doctor replied honestly. Ethan nodded slowly, the cold fury inside his chest burning hotter than any physical flame.
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He pulled out his smartphone, dialing Prosecutor Harrison’s direct extension at the Department of Justice field office. "Harrison, the hospital confirmed the toxin, and the police recovered the audio recorder from her teddy bear," Ethan reported steadily.
"We are issuing an immediate grand jury indictment for attempted homicide and child endangerment," Harrison promised from the other end. Ethan hung up the phone, turning his gaze back toward his sleeping daughter with an unbreakable vow of vengeance.
