Chapter 14: The Liberation of Rosehaven
"Dr. Julian Reed!" a loud, commanding voice boomed through the examination room.
Three state troopers stepped into the dim room, their high-visibility patches and utility belts contrasting sharply with the sterile luxury of the VIP wing. They were led by an older investigator holding a signed federal warrant folder, flanked by the hospital’s general counsel—a man who looked as though he had just seen his entire corporate structure collapse into a sinkhole.
Julian spun around, his hand instinctively reaching toward the gold pen in his pocket as if it were a weapon. "What is the meaning of this? I am the director of this hospital! You can't be in here!"
"Dr. Reed, you are under arrest for aggravated domestic assault, felony coercion, and witness intimidation," the lead trooper announced, his voice carrying the unyielding weight of the state.
Before Julian could utter another word, two troopers grabbed his arms, spinning him around and slamming him face-first against the side of the expensive ultrasound machine. The gold Montblanc fountain pen fell from his breast pocket, clinking uselessly against the linoleum floor before rolling into a dark corner beneath the examination table.
"Claire! Tell them! Tell them she's lying!" Julian screamed, his face distorted, a line of sweat running down his temple as the steel handcuffs clicked tightly around his manicured wrists. The charismatic facade was entirely gone; in its place was nothing but a pathetic, cornered predator realizing his teeth had been pulled.
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The general counsel stepped forward, not to look at Julian, but to address me. "Madam... the board is prepared to offer immediate medical relocation for your daughter. We had no knowledge—"
"The board will speak to my attorneys," I cut him off, not giving him a single inch of political leverage. "Get him out of my sight."
