Chapter 4

Daniel's office wasn't far from Maya's place.

When I arrived, he already had the original gift agreement and its supplements laid out on the desk. I had signed that agreement myself before the wedding. Reading it again now, every clause about my rights was clearer than I remembered.

"Adrian said he doesn't want me walking away with half his fortune in a divorce," I said.

Daniel looked up. "He said that himself?"

"I overheard him talking with Vanessa."

He turned to the payment schedule page.

"Evelyn, this money came from your mother's estate. Before your marriage, you donated it to the foundation under this agreement, earmarked for the children's rehabilitation center. It was never converted into shares of Moretti Holdings, and it isn't equity in the foundation either."

He flipped further. "But the agreement preserves your right to audit, to oversee the projects, and to participate in the designated major decisions. If the Morettis want you out, they need your valid consent. Reading one sentence from a stage doesn't count."

I remembered Adrian's line about it "not being worth it."

He wasn't afraid of losing half the company to me. He was afraid I would keep reading the books, keep asking where my mother's money had actually gone.

"Did they ever approach you before?"

"Last year, someone delivered a document asking you to waive those rights," Daniel said. "I warned you back then that something like that couldn't be signed as routine paperwork. The Morettis took the document back afterward."

Last year, I was at my sickest. Adrian had set a stack of papers by my hospital bed and said the foundation just needed some follow-up paperwork.

I asked, "Did I sign?"

"At least that waiver doesn't have your signature. I kept the version they sent for review, along with the correspondence from that time."

I remembered that fight. Adrian said I didn't even trust him anymore and had to bring in an outsider for family matters. In the end he took the papers back and coaxed me instead. "Fine, don't sign."

Daniel watched my face. "Which one do we check first?"

I showed him the photos of the pill case, the exam report, and Vanessa's messages.

"My health first. Then the donation money."

He didn't ask a single question about the affair. He just sorted the materials by date.

"You request your own medical records. Keep every version the Morettis gave you. The pill you submitted can prove what that one tablet is. By itself, it can't prove what was in every batch over three years, and it definitely can't identify who swapped anything."

"I understand."

"Don't sign anything these next few days. Before the gala, I'll have the gift agreement, the payment records, and the waiver they sent organized."

As I walked out of the building, Adrian called.

"Where are you?"

I glanced across the street. A car I knew well was parked there.

"Having tea with Maya."

"I thought you went to pick up records."

"Already got them. We hadn't seen each other in so long, we kept talking."

He was quiet for a moment, then laughed. "Come home for dinner. Mom's here too."

At home, Lucia sat in the living room with a document folder beside her. She asked about my results first.

"The doctor said they need my old records. Nothing urgent for now."

"Good." She had the housekeeper pour water. "Vanessa hasn't been well lately either. You're her sister-in-law. Look after her."

Vanessa leaned against the other end of the sofa and smiled at me.

Lucia handed me the folder.

"The program for the foundation's anniversary gala. Adrian is busy, so go over it for him. You've worked on the project. You should appear on stage."

The speech draft was on top.

After the host introduced the rehabilitation center, it would be my turn to speak. The final paragraph read: Due to my health, I will no longer be involved in the foundation's affairs.

I put the paper back.

"Mom, who wrote this?"

"PR. It just says you should rest."

"I never said I was giving up project oversight."

Vanessa ran her finger along the rim of her glass. "Sister-in-law, haven't you been saying how tired you are lately?"

"Being tired and signing papers are two different things."

Adrian came in just then. He saw the document on the table and walked to my side first.

"If you don't want to give the speech, fine. I'll have them change it."

Lucia frowned. "The gala is tomorrow night. Where's the time to change anything?"

Adrian ignored her and took my hand. "Don't let small things like this upset you."

If I hadn't found out what I had, I might have believed him one more time.

I pulled my hand back. "No need to change it. I'll go on stage."

Lucia put the document away. Vanessa stared at me for a long time without a word.

Late that night, Maya texted: The preliminary results on the pill are in. Can you take a call?

I took my phone into the bathroom and locked the door.

"The tablet you sent in doesn't match the ingredients printed on the box," Maya said. "The official written report comes tomorrow. Also, I found a channel to pull your old treatment records. That current prescription and your original plan both need a fresh review."

I gripped the sink. "Can they tell when it was switched?"

"Not from this one pill alone. Don't rush to assume every batch was the same."

A knock came at the door.

"Evelyn, are you in there?"

"Washing my face."

I told Maya, "Hold the results for me tomorrow."

I hung up and turned on the faucet.

Outside the door, Adrian asked, "Did you take your medication today?"

"Mm."

He didn't leave right away.

"Thank you for agreeing to go on stage, Evelyn."

I looked at myself in the mirror. "We're husband and wife. Whatever it is, you could have told me directly."

On the other side of the door, he was silent for a long time.

"Mm," he said. "I knew you'd help me."

#