The Counterattack

Elizabeth's voice dripped with malice as she spoke to her ally in the hospital's dimly lit corner.

"I had to accelerate the plan," Elizabeth said. "Charles was getting suspicious."

Her ally's eyes narrowed.

"The heart attack?" the ally asked.

Elizabeth nodded.

"A necessary measure," Elizabeth replied. "He won't interfere now."

The ally's gaze turned cold.

"And Ryan?" the ally asked.

Elizabeth's smile twisted.

"Ryan will soon learn his place," Elizabeth said.

Just then, Ryan approached, Amelia by his side.

"Elizabeth, what are you doing here and how the hell did you even get here?" Ryan asked, his tone suspicious.

Elizabeth's expression turned innocent.

"Visiting your father, dear, I have my ways" Elizabeth replied.

Ryan's eyes narrowed.

"Leave," Ryan said.

Elizabeth's smile never wavered.

"As you wish, Ryan," Elizabeth said.

As Elizabeth departed, Ryan turned to Amelia.

"We need to uncover her secrets," Ryan said.

Amelia nodded.

"Let's start with the business records," Amelia suggested.

Ryan's jaw clenched.

"I'll get Alexander on it," Ryan said.

As they entered Charles's hospital room, Charles's eyes flickered open.

"Ryan..." Charles whispered.

Ryan rushed to his father's side.

"Father, don't talk," Ryan said.

Charles's gaze locked onto Ryan.

"Elizabeth...beware...she's—"

"I know, Father," Ryan interrupted. "We're investigating her."

Charles's weak nod reassured Ryan.

"Are you okay father."?

"I am okay Ryan, it was a minor attack." Charles assured

The door swung open.

Alexander entered.

"Ryan, I found something," Alexander said.

Ryan's eyes snapped to Alexander.

"What is it?" Ryan asked.

Alexander's expression turned grim.

"Elizabeth's been embezzling funds," Alexander revealed.

Ryan's face darkened.

"How much?" Ryan demanded.

Alexander hesitated.

"Millions," Alexander replied.

Amelia gasped.

Ryan's anger boiled over.

"We'll stop her," Ryan vowed.

Charles's weak voice interrupted.

"Ryan...be careful..." Charles warned.

Ryan's grip on his father's hand tightened.

"I will, Father," Ryan promised.

"Let's dig deeper," Ryan said, his eyes locked onto Alexander.

"I've found a trail of oil companies," Alexander explained. "Elizabeth's been using them to launder the embezzled funds."

Amelia's eyes widened.

"How much do you think she's stolen?" Amelia asked.

Alexander's expression turned grim.

"Ten million, at least," Alexander replied.

Ryan's face darkened.

"We need concrete evidence," Ryan said.

Alexander nodded.

"I'm working on it," Alexander said. "But we need to move fast. Elizabeth will cover her tracks if she finds out we're onto her."

Charles's weak voice interrupted.

"Ryan...be cautious..." Charles warned.

Ryan's grip on his father's hand tightened.

"Don't worry, Father," Ryan said. "We'll bring her to justice."

Just then, Elizabeth entered the room.

"Ryan, dear, I see you're still beset by conspiracy theories," Elizabeth said, her smile dripping with malice.

Ryan's eyes narrowed.

"We know what you've done, Elizabeth," Ryan said.

Elizabeth's smile faltered.

"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked.

Alexander stepped forward.

"We've uncovered your embezzlement scheme," Alexander revealed.

Elizabeth's face paled.

"You'll never prove it," Elizabeth spat.

Ryan's anger boiled over.

"We already have," Ryan said.

Ryan pulled out his phone.

"I'm calling the police," Ryan said.

Elizabeth's eyes widened.

"You can't prove anything," Elizabeth sneered.

Amelia stepped forward.

"We have documents, Elizabeth," Amelia said. "Records of the shell companies and transactions."

Elizabeth's face paled.

"Alexander, you fool," Elizabeth spat.

Alexander stood firm.

"I won't let you ruin our family's legacy," Alexander said.

Ryan dialed the phone.

"Hello, police? We need to report embezzlement and fraud," Ryan said.

Elizabeth's composure crumbled.

"No, Ryan! You can't do this!" Elizabeth shouted.

Charles's weak voice interrupted.

"Ryan...do it..." Charles whispered.

Ryan's determination strengthened.

"It's over, Elizabeth," Ryan said.

The police arrived, surrounding Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth Cuthbert, you are under arrest," an officer said.

As they led Elizabeth away, Ryan felt vindicated.

Justice would be served.

But Amelia's concerned gaze met Ryan's.

"This isn't over," Amelia whispered.

Ryan nodded.

"I know," Ryan replied. "We'll face whatever comes next, together."

*Courtroom*

The judge's gavel banged.

"Elizabeth Thompson Cuthbert, you're found guilty of embezzlement and fraud," the judge declared.

Elizabeth's face fell.

"No! This can't be!" Elizabeth shouted.

Ryan stood tall.

"Justice is served," Ryan said.

Amelia grasped Ryan's hand.

"It's over," Amelia whispered.

Alexander nodded.

"Our family's legacy is safe," Alexander said.

Charles, now recovered, stood.

"Thank you, Ryan," Charles said.

Elizabeth's eyes blazed.

"You'll pay for this, Ryan!" Elizabeth spat.

The bailiffs led Elizabeth away.

*Outside the Courthouse*

Ryan's determination remained.

"It's not just about punishing Elizabeth," Ryan said. "It's about rebuilding our family's business and trust."

Amelia smiled.

"You're an amazing leader, Ryan," Amelia said.

Alexander nodded.

"We're with you, Ryan," Alexander said.

Charles placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"I'm proud of you, son," Charles said.

Ryan's eyes shone.

"Let's move forward, together," Ryan said.