Chapter 7 - The Man Who Built a Second Empire From the DeadPhase Two involved a new network.
Different companies.
Different hospitals.
The same system.
Holloway had learned from his mistakes.
This time, he had political protection in another state.
Dominic and Evelyn had to expose him before he moved the operation.
They partnered with federal investigators.
Evelyn provided patient records.
Dominic provided financial data.
Claire gave testimony.
Thomas testified.
Morgan testified.
The case grew.
Holloway attempted to flee.
He was intercepted at a private airfield.
Dominic was there.
So was Evelyn.
Holloway looked at them.
“You think arrest ends this?”
“Yes,” Evelyn said.
“No.”
He smiled.
“People don't stop wanting power.”
Evelyn answered:
“Maybe.”
She stepped closer.
“But they stop getting it when people stop being afraid.”
Holloway was arrested.
This time, the evidence was overwhelming.
He was convicted.
The trial lasted months.
Evelyn testified publicly.
She told the story of every patient.
Every name.
Every missing chart.
Every unexplained death.
Dominic testified too.
He admitted his family's crimes.
His public reputation collapsed.
He lost businesses.
He lost money.
But he didn't lose Evelyn.
One night after the trial, they sat outside.
Dominic said:
“I thought you would hate me.”
“For what?”
“For who my family was.”
She looked at him.
“I don't love your family.”
“I know.”
“I love you.”
His eyes filled.
“That's different.”
“Yes.”
She touched his hand.
“You chose what came next.”
He smiled.
“So did you.”
Their relationship became public.
People had opinions.
Some called her foolish.
Some called her a gold digger.
Some called him a criminal.
They ignored all of it.
Evelyn returned to nursing.
She created a patient advocacy program.
Dominic created a foundation.
Together they funded hospitals.
The bracelet remained around her wrist.
The little compass pointed north.
Home.
One evening, Dominic asked:
“Do you know what Gabriel meant?”
“What?”
“About the compass.”
She smiled.
“I think he meant home wasn't a place.”
“What was it?”
“A person.”
He looked at her.
May you like
She smiled.
“Or maybe a choice.”
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