The Emergency Room Secret Chapter 8

A week later, late at night, Virtue Education's lights were still on. I sat in the police car, looking at the brightly lit building across the street. New Year's was a time for many to reunite and celebrate, but there were always some who worked harder than others, desperately trying to establish themselves in society. My palms unconsciously broke into a sweat.

"Don't be nervous." Ryan handed me a bottle of water. "All the evidence is collected."

Over this past week, I'd cooperated with the police to gather massive amounts of evidence. Nathan seemed completely oblivious, still playing the model husband in front of me every day. He'd even given me several more "limited edition" gifts, all identical to what those victim girls had received.

"Are the action teams in position?" I asked.

Ryan nodded. "All exits are covered. Just waiting for Nathan and his buddy to show up."

"You were right," I smiled bitterly. "Cases like this—we need to catch everyone."

The radio suddenly crackled: "Target sighted! Black Audi, license plate confirmed."

My heart clenched violently. Through the car window, I saw Nathan and his buddy get out of the car, chatting and laughing as they entered the building. Following behind them were several young women who looked like students.

"With such scrutiny, they still dare to commit crimes?" I unconsciously asked.

Ryan's expression became exceptionally grave. "According to our intelligence, at the end of every month, they organize 'special courses.'"

I thought of the videos on the USB drive, Nathan's gentle smile hiding such cruelty. My stomach churned. "You mean..."

"Yes," he said through gritted teeth. "Tonight is the perfect opportunity to catch them all."

The radio crackled again: "All units in position! Target has entered the third-floor office. Repeat, target has entered the third-floor office!"

"Move in!" Ryan decisively ordered.

Dozens of officers instantly emerged from the shadows, swiftly surrounding the entire building. I followed behind Ryan. Being present at such a scene, my heart was racing so fast it felt like it would burst from my chest.

Bursting onto the third floor, we heard girls crying from inside the office. Ryan kicked the door open, and the scene before us made everyone freeze.

Nathan sat behind the office desk, several tearful female students standing before him. His buddy leaned against the window, still holding a video camera. On the office wall hung the "Virtue Education" plaque, beneath it the slogan "Educating with Virtue."

"Police! Nobody move!"

Nathan's smile instantly froze. He saw me standing behind the officers, his expression shifting from shock to fury. "Claire, you..."

"Nathan Carter, Mark Davis, you're under arrest for sexual assault, extortion, and distribution of illegal videos!" Ryan announced loudly.

"What evidence do you have?" Mark Davis, Nathan's buddy, sneered. "This is a legitimate educational institution. We're tutoring students."

"Really?" Ryan signaled officers to open the computer. "Then what are these videos? What are these 'special courses'?"

The computer screen displayed footage of Nathan luring female students. The girls in the office, seeing the videos, broke down crying.

"Scum! Animals! People like us already have hard enough lives. I just wanted to work harder for a better future..." one girl cried.

Nathan suddenly erupted in rage. "Shut up! You ungrateful wretches! I gave you opportunities, gave you futures—is this how you repay me?"

"Futures?" A familiar voice rang out. Lily Martinez, supported by Jake, walked in. "Are you talking about futures like this?"

She threw a stack of photos on the floor. The images clearly documented Nathan and his buddy's crimes.

"You exploited our poverty and trust, using the mask of a good Samaritan to hide the face of a devil." Lily's voice trembled but remained firm. "Now it's time for this to end."

Nathan suddenly lunged at Lily but was immediately tackled to the ground by prepared officers. He struggled frantically. "Claire! How could you do this to me? I'm your husband!"

I walked up to him and removed my wedding ring. "No. You're just a monster."

Police quickly found massive amounts of evidence at Virtue Education. This seemingly normal tutoring facility was actually a carefully designed crime scene. Every classroom was equipped with hidden cameras, computers storing hundreds of video files.

"Every corner of this place," Ryan said, looking at the evidence before us, "is stained with evil."

At daybreak, Nathan and Mark were loaded into police cars. Sunlight hit the Virtue Education sign, the words "Educating with Virtue" looking particularly ironic.

"Dr. Foster..." Lily grabbed my hand. "I'm sorry for dragging you into all this..."

I gripped her hand firmly in return. "No, I'm the one who should apologize. If I'd discovered this earlier..."

"You've done more than enough." Jake said. "Without you, we might never have had the courage to come forward."

I looked at the city gradually becoming noisy in the morning light. In front of me, streets and alleys filled with families celebrating together. Behind me, girls they called "small-town test-takers" with no one to support them, who'd been victimized. My heart was a jumble of emotions.

"Let's go," I said to Lily and the other girls. "A new day has begun."