Chapter 7 - The Medical Trial
The retaliation from Hector Vasquez and Dr. Harrison was swift but foolish. Realizing physical abduction had failed, they tried to use the law.
Dr. Harrison filed an official complaint with the state medical board and the federal immigration authorities, accusing Dr. Camila Vasquez of practicing medicine without a license and endangering the life of a minor (Diego Mendoza) at the hospital. Hector provided falsified documents from Venezuela claiming she was a fugitive from justice.
The story leaked to the press. Headlines screamed: Billionaire's Son Saved by Illegal, Fraudulent Doctor?
A formal hearing was convened. The medical board room was packed with reporters, cameras, and tense officials. Carmen sat at the defense table, her hands clasped tightly. She felt small, exposed, and terrified. Across the room, Dr. Harrison sat with a smug smile, flanked by high-priced lawyers.
"Dr. Vasquez," the head of the board began, looking down at his papers. "You are accused of performing an unauthorized medical intervention on an infant while employed as a custodian. Furthermore, we have international warrants for your arrest regarding malpractice in your home country. What do you have to say?"
Before Carmen could speak, the heavy double doors of the boardroom swung open.
Rafael Mendoza walked in, followed by a team of the country's most prominent defense attorneys, human rights advocates, and the federal Secretary of State.
"She has nothing to say," Rafael announced, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Because my legal team will speak for her."
For the next three hours, Rafael's team completely dismantled the prosecution. They presented indisputable forensic evidence that the "malpractice" charges in Venezuela were entirely fabricated by Hector Vasquez to cover up his own money-laundering scheme—a scheme that Rafael’s global financial intelligence unit had thoroughly documented and handed over to the FBI.
Then, Rafael himself took the stand. He looked directly at the cameras.
"This woman did not 'endanger' my son. She saved him after the highly funded, highly praised doctors in that room gave up on him and walked away," Rafael said, his voice ringing with absolute conviction. "If saving a dying child when everyone else has failed is a crime, then our entire medical system is broken. Dr. Camila Vasquez is a hero."
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The room erupted into applause. The board retired for less than ten minutes before returning with their verdict: All local charges were dismissed, and an emergency humanitarian visa was officially granted to Camila Vasquez for her extraordinary service to a citizen.
As for Dr. Harrison, his license was suspended pending an investigation into his conspiracy with a corrupt foreign official. He was escorted out of the building in handcuffs.
