The security key belonged to Benjamin Caldwell, but the metadata showed a different story.

The encryption algorithm had been modified manually from an administrative login.

It was a forgery, executed with a master key that only Vanessa had access to.

A soft knock at the study door made me jump, my hand flying to my chest.

Dr. Amelia Hart stood in the doorway, her green scrubs stained with what looked like antiseptic.

Her face was drawn, her eyes shadowed with exhaustion and a deep, simmering anger.

“Elena,” Amelia said softly, stepping inside the quiet room.

“How are they?” I asked, closing the laptop screen halfway.

Amelia rubbed her temples, looking back toward the hallway.

“Sophie has a low-grade fever and signs of early pneumonia,” she said.

“And the others?” I asked, my heart sinking.

“Lily and Grace are severely malnourished,” Amelia said, her voice trembling slightly.

“They have defensive bruising on their forearms, and Emma is completely unresponsive to verbal cues.”

“It is classic, severe neglect, Elena. I’ve already called for two pediatric transport units to take them to the hospital.”