Chapter 3 - THE REPORT HE NEVER READ
Adrian had built companies across three continents by noticing small inconsistencies before other people did.
Yet inside his own home, he had missed a dozen.
He looked at Clara.
“What was in the envelope?”
“A log.”
“Of what?”
“Emma’s symptoms.”
Vanessa groaned. “For God’s sake.”
Clara ignored her.
“Her breathing slowed after certain bottles. Her pupils looked different. Twice she was limp when I picked her up. I asked Dr. Harlan whether any of her prescribed medicines could cause that.”
“And?”
“He told me no.”
Adrian’s phone buzzed.
The guard at the east gate.
“Mason’s SUV is gone.”
“When?”
“Seven minutes ago. He left through the maintenance exit before the lockdown.”
Adrian looked toward the security cameras.
“He knew.”
Clara’s voice was flat. “Of course he knew.”
Emma whimpered against Olivia’s shoulder.
Adrian moved toward them, but Olivia stepped back.
It hurt more than he expected.
“Liv.”
“You hit her.”
“I know.”
“She saved Emma.”
“I know.”
“You didn’t even ask.”
Adrian had no defense.
Clara spoke before he could answer. “Take Emma to St. Catherine’s. Ask for Dr. Miriam Cole in pediatrics. She doesn’t work for your family, your company, or your foundation.”
Vanessa’s head snapped toward her.
“How do you know Miriam Cole?”
Clara’s gaze moved to Vanessa.
“Why does that scare you?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Twenty minutes later, Adrian rode in the back of an armored SUV with both daughters. Clara sat across from him, not because she had forgiven him, but because Emma refused to release her finger.
At St. Catherine’s, Dr. Cole ordered blood work and toxicology screening.
“You’re testing a baby for drugs?” Adrian asked.
“I’m testing for anything that shouldn’t be there.”
Vanessa arrived with an attorney.
Adrian stared at her. “You brought a lawyer to the pediatric ER?”
“I brought someone who understands what happens when accusations become reckless.”
Her attorney, Graham Holt, smiled politely.
Adrian knew him.
Everyone in the Vale family did.
Graham had handled Natalie’s estate after her death.
Clara saw Adrian’s recognition.
“Who is he?”
“Our family attorney.”
Dr. Cole returned thirty minutes later.
Her expression had changed.
“Mr. Vale, I need to speak with you privately.”
Adrian stood.
“What did you find?”
Dr. Cole looked at Emma through the glass wall.
“A sedating antihistamine at a level I would not expect in an infant who wasn’t prescribed it.”
Vanessa immediately said, “Clara gives her every bottle.”
Clara went still.
May you like
Graham opened his folder.
And Adrian realized the accusation had been prepared before the lab results existed.
