Chapter 7 - The Bottle Without a Label
Claire kept the pills in a small amber bottle at the back of her bathroom drawer.
No pharmacy label.
No patient name.
Just white tablets scored down the center.
"How long?" Adrian asked.
"About three weeks."
"Why didn't you question it?"
The moment he said it, he hated himself.
Claire's face closed.
"Because your mother said Dr. Patel had changed the prescription after speaking with her. Because my portal password stopped working. Because every time I told you something felt wrong, you were in another airport saying we'd talk when you got home."
He lowered his head. "You're right."
Claire looked away.
Dr. Patel sent the bottle to the hospital pharmacy for identification.
The answer came back forty minutes later.
Not vitamins.
A prescription sleep medication.
A low dose, but enough to cause fatigue, dizziness, confusion, and memory problems in some people.
Claire went completely still.
"She kept telling people I was forgetful."
Adrian could not speak.
Dr. Patel's expression hardened. "Who prescribed these?"
"We don't know."
"Then I am documenting this and notifying hospital security."
Claire touched Adrian's wrist. "She made me think I was losing my mind."
He turned his hand over and held hers.
"You're not."
"I know that now."
The words were not comfort. They were an accusation against how long it had taken.
By noon, police had taken the bottle, the forged medical power of attorney, and copies of the guardianship draft.
Marcus Dean remained missing.
Evelyn answered one call from detectives, denied everything, then stopped responding.
Adrian froze her access to the estate and removed her from every company system he controlled.
At 1:17 p.m., Vale Meridian's general counsel called.
"We have a problem."
"Get in line."
"Your mother just demanded an emergency board meeting."
Adrian stared out the hospital window.
"On what grounds?"
"She claims you are emotionally compromised by a domestic crisis and cannot fulfill your fiduciary duties."
He almost laughed.
"She created the crisis."
"Maybe. But she attached documents."
"What documents?"
"A psychiatric report about Claire, a medical affidavit, and a statement from Marcus Dean."
Adrian's blood went cold.
"Marcus is missing."
"Apparently not to your mother."
May you like
The lawyer lowered his voice.
"His statement says you knew about everything happening in the house.
