Chapter 11 - THE MEDICAL RECORD THAT WASN'T REAL
Victoria placed the medical report in front of the board.
"According to this document, Eleanor Hayes was suffering from severe cognitive impairment during the final months of her life."
I stared at the paper.
The report claimed my mother had been unable to understand complex financial decisions.
It was dated February 28.
Seventeen days before the hospital photograph.
Victoria continued.
"Any agreement signed by her during that period should be considered invalid."
One board member adjusted his glasses.
"Is this document authenticated?"
"Of course."
Daniel picked it up.
He examined the hospital name, the physician's signature, and the registration number.
Then he looked at me.
"Madison, do you recognize this doctor?"
I shook my head.
"No."
Daniel placed the report beneath a document from the silver ledger.
"Neither does the hospital."
Victoria's expression changed.
"What?"
Daniel turned toward the board.
"We contacted the hospital's records department this morning. The physician listed here never worked at that facility."
The room erupted in whispers.
"Furthermore," he continued, "the medical report uses a registration number that belonged to a different doctor who retired eleven years ago."
Victoria's face tightened.
"That's impossible."
I stood.
"My mother was treated by Dr. Samuel Bennett. He cared for her for eighteen months. He never diagnosed her with cognitive impairment."
Victoria looked at me coldly.
"You were an emotional daughter. You weren't qualified to understand her medical condition."
I nodded.
"You're right. That's why I asked the hospital to provide the original records."
Daniel displayed the authenticated medical files.
My mother had remained mentally competent until her death.
Her physician had documented that she understood her financial arrangements and had repeatedly refused to surrender ownership of her designs.
The final report was signed three days before she died.
It confirmed her mental capacity.
Victoria sat down.
Nathan looked increasingly frightened.
Then Daniel revealed another document.
The medical report had been created using a computer registered to Caldwell Heritage Holdings.
The file's creation date was five years earlier.
Richard's signature appeared on the internal approval form.
My father had helped manufacture the evidence.
I felt a terrible sadness.
Not because I was surprised.
Because some part of me had still hoped he would be innocent.
The investigator approached Victoria.
"We will need copies of all documents connected to this matter."
Victoria stood.
"You cannot simply walk in here and accuse me!"
"We have authorization to preserve relevant records."
"Do you know who I am?"
The investigator didn't blink.
"Yes, ma'am."
For the first time, Victoria had no answer.
Then Brittany began crying.
"Madison, please!"
Everyone turned toward her.
She stood with both hands gripping the back of her chair.
"I didn't know about the medical report."
I looked at her.
"But you knew about the money."
She nodded.
"I knew Victoria had promised me money."
"Did you know where it came from?"
Her eyes filled.
"I suspected."
I waited.
She looked down.
"I used some of it."
The room became silent.
"How much?"
"Six hundred thousand."
I closed my eyes.
Brittany continued.
"Victoria said it was part of the family inheritance. She said you were being selfish by keeping everything."
I looked at her for a long moment.
"Did you believe her?"
"Yes."
"Or did you simply want to believe her because she promised you money?"
She couldn't answer.
I sat down.
Daniel submitted the documents for formal review.
The board voted to suspend Victoria's executive authority pending investigation.
They also froze the disputed design licensing division.
Then came the most important vote.
Whether to recognize my mother's original ownership agreement and restore my voting rights.
Every shareholder raised a hand.
The resolution passed.
I was officially recognized as the controlling representative of Eleanor Hayes's shares.
Victoria looked at me as though she wanted to destroy me.
"You think you've won?"
I met her eyes.
"No. I think you've finally lost the right to decide what happens next."
But just as the investigators prepared to leave, Nathan approached me.
He looked exhausted.
"Madison, there's something you don't know."
I didn't respond.
He lowered his voice.
"My mother didn't steal the original ownership certificate."
I frowned.
"Then who did?"
May you like
Nathan swallowed.
"Your father."
