Chapter 9 - The Foundation
Six months later.
In downtown Manhattan, the grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel was packed with doctors, pediatric specialists, and community leaders.
Above the main stage hung a massive silk banner: The Cruz-Starks Pediatric Research Institute.
Rory Starks stood at the podium in an elegant black suit, speaking into the microphone before the distinguished audience.
"For months, my family lived in darkness," Rory said, his baritone voice echoing clearly through the hall. "We visited the finest hospitals, hired the most expensive consultants, and were told that nothing could be done. But true healing didn't come from a luxury office. It came from a woman who had the courage to look beyond the obvious and protect those who could not protect themselves."
He gestured toward the front row.
"It is my honor to introduce the Director of our new fifty-million-dollar initiative to combat child exploitation and unexplained pediatric trauma—Veronica Cruz."
The ballroom erupted into standing applause.
Veronica stood up, her eyes shining with tears of joy as she walked up the stairs to the stage. She shook Rory’s hand, but as the applause continued, Rory pulled her into a warm, protective embrace, whispering in her ear:
"You belong here, Veronica."
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"We belong here," she whispered back.
In the front row, Lily and Rose—dressed in matching yellow dresses—were clapping enthusiastically, sitting beside Frank, who was wearing a comical party hat the girls had forced him to wear.
