The Doctor Who Changed the Record
Chapter 03 - The Doctor Who Changed the Record
Victoria confessed that she had been investigating Malcolm for months. She had once supported his leadership of the company, believing Daniel was too inexperienced to protect the Sterling legacy. Then she discovered forged financial reports, hidden accounts, and payments to Dr. Owen Price—Emma’s physician.
Owen had recently diagnosed Emma with anxiety and memory loss, even though she showed no symptoms outside his office. If Emma had appeared disoriented during the ceremony, he planned to recommend temporary guardianship of Sophie. Malcolm would then control Sophie’s trust, sell Sterling Manor, and use the proceeds to cover the stolen retirement money.
The hidden testament had ruined his timetable.
Daniel felt betrayed by everyone. His uncle had robbed the company, his mother had concealed the truth, and the doctor he trusted had helped build a case against his wife. Emma, still weak but fully alert, refused to let anger decide their next move.
“Malcolm thinks the original will is the only thing that can stop him,” she said. “Let him believe he can still destroy it.”
They arranged a private board meeting at Sterling Manor and announced that Emma was too ill to attend. Daniel would bring the testament and negotiate with Malcolm. Meanwhile, police would monitor the house from an unmarked vehicle.
Before the meeting, Sophie remembered something else. On the morning of the ceremony, she had seen Rachel crying in the garden. Rachel gave her the envelope and whispered, “Make sure your father finds this.” The woman had not been helping Malcolm. She had been trying to expose him.
Using the garden camera, police traced Rachel’s car to an abandoned Sterling warehouse. Daniel and Mrs. Bell found her locked inside an office, frightened but alive. Rachel revealed that Malcolm had forced her to obtain the sedative, but she secretly reduced the dose and planted Arthur’s testament in Emma’s gown. She had switched the glass because she believed it contained only enough medicine to delay the ceremony—not enough to make Emma collapse.
Dr. Owen had increased the concentration without telling her.
Rachel also carried a flash drive containing Malcolm’s private accounts and a recording of his instructions. But before Daniel could take it, the warehouse lights went out.
A car engine started outside.
Mrs. Bell pulled Sophie’s small emergency whistle from her pocket and blew it as loudly as she could. Police nearby heard the signal and surrounded the building, but Malcolm was not there.
He had used the warehouse as a distraction.
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Daniel’s phone rang. Victoria’s terrified voice came through the speaker.
“Malcolm is at the manor,” she whispered. “He has Emma, and he wants the real will.”
