CHAPTER 7
An hour later, the grand Beverly Hills mansion was entirely quiet, lit only by the soft glow of the landscape lighting surrounding the sparkling blue swimming pool.
The party guests had all been escorted off the premises by private security, their gossiping voices fading into the quiet evening air as news vans arrived outside the main gates.
Christopher sat on the plush velvet sofa in the main living room, holding a warm cup of cocoa while Emma slept peacefully wrapped in a soft wool blanket beside him.
Marcus Vance, his long-time family attorney, sat across from him with a tablet displaying real-time updates from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
"Christopher, the evidence recovered from Estelle's desk drawer is overwhelming," Marcus explained softly, turning the screen to show the digitized files. "The digital audio tape contains a recorded phone call between Estelle and a corrupt pharmacist in Glendale discussing the dosage of the sedative used on your father."
"And Dad?" Christopher asked, his voice thick with emotion as he adjusted the blanket around Emma’s tiny shoulders.
May you like
"The medical team at Cedars-Sinai has already taken over his care," Marcus reassured him warmly. "They flushed the toxins from his system three hours ago; the doctors expect him to regain full consciousness within the next forty-eight hours."
Christopher closed his eyes, taking a deep, long breath of relief as the terrifying nightmare of the afternoon finally began to dissolve into safety.
