"Why keep everything there?"
"Because Richard never imagined I would preserve the evidence."
Daniel looked toward the door.
"Then we should go as soon as possible."
Arthur shook his head.
"Not yet. Richard will be watching."
Victoria took out her phone.
"Then we'll contact the police."
Arthur nodded.
"Yes. But we must be careful about who receives the evidence."
He paused.
"James cannot know."
Daniel remembered the lawyer.
"What if he's already informed Richard?"
Arthur looked at him.
"Then we have very little time."
At that exact moment, Victoria's phone rang.
She checked the screen.
It was James.
She answered.
"Hello?"
His voice sounded calm.
"Victoria, I need to speak with you immediately."
"About what?"
"Your father's condition."
"He's recovering."
"Good. I also need the phone."
Victoria looked at Daniel.
"Why?"
James lowered his voice.
"Because Richard Collins has just filed a formal complaint against your father, and the police may arrive at the hospital within the hour."
Victoria froze.
"What?"
"He's accusing Arthur of stealing confidential company records."
Daniel looked at Arthur.
The old man's expression became grim.
James continued.
"Whatever happens, do not let anyone access that phone."
Victoria ended the call.
For several seconds, she could not speak.
Daniel looked at her.
"What did he say?"
Victoria finally answered.
"Richard is trying to turn my father into the criminal."
Arthur closed his eyes.
"He's starting the same game again."
And this time, they had no intention of letting him win.
The next hour passed slowly.
Victoria stood beside the hospital window, watching the cars move through the streets below. Her phone remained in her hand, but she no longer answered incoming calls.
She knew Richard was trying to control the situation.
What frightened her most was not his accusation against her father. It was how quickly he had managed to turn a private investigation into a public scandal.
Arthur watched his daughter with concern.
"Victoria, I need you to listen to me."
She turned.
"What?"
"If the police come, cooperate with them. Don't argue. Don't try to hide anything."
"But they're accusing you of stealing!"
"I know."
"Then why should we let them treat you like a criminal?"
Arthur sighed.
"Because if we lose our composure, Richard gets exactly what he wants. He wants us to make a mistake."
Daniel stood near the door.
"We need an independent lawyer."
Arthur nodded.
"Someone who has never worked with Bennett Development."
Victoria immediately searched through her contacts.
She remembered a woman who had represented several whistleblowers in financial misconduct cases.
Her name was Helen Brooks.
Helen was a respected attorney known for handling difficult corporate investigations. She had previously worked for a major legal firm but later established her own practice after becoming frustrated with the way wealthy clients could influence legal outcomes.
Victoria called her.
After explaining the situation, Helen agreed to meet them that afternoon.
However, before they could make any arrangements, two police officers entered the hospital room.
"Mr. Bennett?"
Arthur looked up.
"Yes."
"We need to ask you some questions regarding a complaint filed by Richard Collins."
Victoria stepped forward.
"My father is a patient. He needs to rest."
One officer remained calm.
"We understand. We're not here to arrest him. We simply need to establish some facts."
Daniel watched carefully.
The officers asked Arthur about the missing financial records and the company phone.
Arthur answered honestly.
He explained that he had been investigating suspicious transactions and had retained documents that could prove financial misconduct.
The officers exchanged glances.
"Do you have evidence supporting these allegations?"
"Yes," Arthur replied. "But I want an independent attorney present before providing a formal statement."
The officer nodded.
"That's your right."
Then he turned toward Victoria.
"Ms. Bennett, we also need to speak with you."
Victoria agreed.
Daniel remained silent until one officer looked at him.
"And who are you?"
"Daniel Carter. I was present when Mr. Bennett collapsed."
The officer checked his notebook.
"You're the restaurant employee?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Collins mentioned you in his complaint."
Daniel frowned.
"Why?"
"He claims you took confidential property without authorization."
Daniel slowly looked at the phone on the bedside table.
"I found it beside an injured man. I returned it to his family. That's all."
The officer wrote something down.
"Do you have any witnesses?"
Daniel remembered the restaurant.
"There were dozens of people."
"Did anyone see you take the phone?"
"I didn't take it from anyone. I picked it up from the floor."
The officer nodded.
"We'll review the restaurant's security footage."
For the first time, Daniel felt relieved.
The truth had witnesses.
But he also knew that evidence could disappear if someone powerful wanted it to.
After the officers left, Victoria called Helen again.
They arranged to meet at a small law office outside the financial district.
Before leaving the hospital, Daniel approached Arthur.
"I'll go with Victoria."
Arthur nodded.
"Thank you."
Daniel hesitated.
"There's something I want you to understand."
Arthur looked at him.
"I haven't forgiven you for what happened to my father."
"I wouldn't expect you to."
"But I'm willing to help expose Richard."
Arthur's eyes became wet.
"That's more than I deserve."
Daniel turned toward the door.
"Don't make me regret it."
Arthur nodded.
"I won't."
As Daniel and Victoria left the room, neither noticed the man standing near the hospital entrance.
He was holding a phone.
He watched them get into a taxi, then immediately made a call.
"Mr. Collins, they're moving."
Richard answered.
"Where?"
"Toward the financial district."