Chapter 15 - Behind the Vent
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Frank removed the vent cover.
Behind it sat a plastic folder.
Then another.
Then a small notebook.
Richard was called immediately.
Police documented everything before touching it.
Inside were copies of Damian’s medical records.
Not official copies.
Altered ones.
His surgeon’s original note said:
Patient recovering normally. Cognitively intact. No restrictions affecting independent decision-making.
The version Celia submitted with her sealed petition said:
Patient exhibits confusion following surgery. Family supervision recommended.
Damian stared at the two pages.
“She changed it.”
Richard nodded.
“She needed you declared incompetent.”
Another folder contained forged household incident reports.
Lily struck staff member.
Lily attempted to run away.
Lily destroyed antique vase.
Every report carried signatures.
Some real.
Some copied.
One supposedly came from Martha Greene, the former housekeeper.
Damian looked up.
“Martha left because Celia said Lily hit her.”
Frank checked his phone.
“I can call her.”
Martha answered immediately.
She began crying when Damian explained why he was calling.
“Mr. Moretti, Lily never hit me.”
Damian closed his eyes.
“Why did you leave?”
“Celia fired me.”
“She told me you resigned.”
“She told me if I spoke to you, she’d accuse me of stealing.”
Martha had seen Celia lock Lily in a dressing room.
She had seen her withhold dinner.
She had seen the harness.
“I tried to take Lily with me,” Martha whispered.
“Celia’s guards stopped me.”
“Why didn’t you call police?”
“I did.”
Damian looked up sharply.
“What?”
“I filed a report.”
No one had contacted Damian.
Richard asked for the report number.
Martha gave it to him.
Twenty minutes later, they discovered why Damian had never heard about it.
The responding officer had called the number listed for Lily’s legal guardian.
Celia answered.
She told police Martha was a disgruntled former employee.
Then she gave them documents showing Celia had temporary caregiving authority while Damian recovered.
The complaint was closed after a follow-up welfare visit.
A visit scheduled in advance.
Celia had dressed Lily beautifully that day.
Filled the kitchen with food.
Removed the harness.
And warned Lily that Damian would die if she spoke.
Lily began to cry as Martha described it over the phone.
Damian took the phone away.
“That’s enough.”
He sat beside his granddaughter.
“You never have to prove anything to me again.”
Lily whispered, “I wanted to tell you.”
“I know.”
“She said your heart was bad.”
“My heart is stubborn.”
That earned a tiny laugh.
Then Richard opened Celia’s notebook.
Page after page listed dates.
Court deadlines.
Medical appointments.
Financial transfers.
And beside one date two months earlier were four words:
Get Damian back in ring.
Damian frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Frank knew.
Celia had arranged a charity exhibition.
A public sparring event Damian had reluctantly agreed to.
If he became injured—or appeared unstable—it would strengthen her petition.
But beneath that note was another line.
Make sure Lily watches.
May you like
👉 Celia had planned to use Damian’s beloved boxing ring as the final stage of her scheme.
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