Chapter 541: Press meet - Part 2

Although the reporter still had questions to ask the President, he sat down immediately, allowing the others to take over. Luis smiled at him in appreciation before he focused on the next reporter who had raised her hand.

"Sir, if the Intelligence already knew about this matter, they could have warned the public about it. We could have been wary and taken precautions against such scenarios. Why didn't they do so?"

Luis just raised an eyebrow for a moment at her question. "We could have warned the people but this would only lead to two complications. First, we did not have evidence to support our claims. Other than the time when we had caught Mr. Clarke red handed for being involved in this trafficking, we did not have any proof against the hospitals or their medical staff. And what would happen if the people were to find out, would they stop going to the hospitals?"

Luis darted his gaze around the hall and realized that everyone had the same doubt as to the reporter who had raised the question. "At the time when Frederick was caught, we did not even know the names of the hospitals involved in this matter. How could we issue a warning?" Luis stated his helplessness, not hiding how he had felt back at that time.

"As far as I know, we have not received any complaints after Frederick was caught. So, there have not been any cases as such for the time period. The people behind this must have gone into hiding in fear."

"In that case, wouldn't it be difficult to find them now that they have disappeared?" The reporter continued.

"Yes, it would be difficult to find them. But we are trying our best, and most importantly, we have got leads on this matter and we are working on it. There is somebody else operating from behind the scenes, and we are in the midst of finding out who it is. Frederick Clarke is just a shield they are using to protect themselves."

"Does the President or the Intelligence know who the man behind the scenes is?" The reporter fired her next question.

"Not yet. We do have our own speculations and suspicions. We cannot confirm them until we have solid evidence to prove our claims. So, I would not wish to take anybody's names until I am sure about it." Luis answered, and the lady nodded in understanding.

"We did not alert the public for we do not know which all hospitals were involved in this issue. We had started investigating the hospitals one by one, and we will send a list of the hospitals that have already got the pass certificate. I understand what might be the problem now. It would be difficult to trust any hospital given the scenario. But if the hospital already has a pass certificate, you can trust them. We will also issue the list of hospitals and clinics under investigation. They will be unavailable for public service until they are proven innocent."

Though this did not ease the worry, it was the only solution they could come up with for the time being. So, the reporters did not raise any questions against it.

"We can begin with the questions," Luis stated, and the reporters started asking the questions they had prepared as per the number they had picked up. When it was Ivy's turn, she stood up, and immediately Cedric zoomed his camera on her.

On seeing Ivy stand up, Luis looked at her in anticipation. He recalled the previous press meet when Ivy had stumped him with her questions. Even though she had taken him by surprise, he was also impressed by the way her mind had worked and analyzed the issue. It was due to her smartness that their army could evade the danger lurking in the dark and prepare for the battle before the enemy caught them off guard. 

"Sir, this problem has now become a national issue. The people have suffered injustice, and it now lies with the government and the court to provide them justice. The criminals behind this issue may be punished as per the law. But how does the government intend to compensate and provide justice to the people who have already suffered and are still suffering even now?"

As expected, Ivy did not disappoint him. Unlike the reporters who focused on the issue and the people behind it, Ivy was the only one who had focused on the people who had suffered in the matter. Though the question was tough, for he was yet to think about the people who had already endured the misery all these years, Luis did not back off from the question.

"Though we are yet to come up with plans to compensate the victims of this crime, I assure everyone that we will handle the matter as it should be handled. To the people who have suffered under those criminals, I declare that they will be compensated monetarily. Though I cannot reveal how much the compensation would be, we will make sure that everyone will get the justice that they so badly seek. And this compensation will be provided using the criminals' money."

Not only Ivy, but even the other reporters were also surprised by the President's declaration. They could not help but stare at him in awe for his sudden yet fair decision.

"The criminal made profits using these people. So, it's only fair that we compensate them using his money. I know this will not alleviate the pain they have gone through." Luis pursed his lips, showing his helplessness and grief on the camera. "But at least, this will soothe the wounds they have been bearing all these years."

Ivy had picked the next number too. So, she continued with her next question. "Sir, even though some of the hospitals are involved in this issue, not all the medical staff working there would have a hand in this matter. There might be innocent people too. What will happen to them once the hospitals are shut down?"

Luis was impressed by Ivy's choice of questions. She sure knew what question to ask and when. "All the medical staff involved in the crime will have their medical license canceled if found guilty by our team. If the hospital management itself is not involved and if it is just a doctor alone incriminated in this matter, then the hospital will not face any consequences." Ivy listened to him intently.

"But if the hospital management is guilty, then the innocent workers will be allocated to work at hospitals accordingly. This is only a temporary solution for them. We will come up with a detailed plan once we resolve this matter completely."