LOGINSophia found Adrian in his study, leaning over two documents with a pen between his fingers. One page carried the original instruction, while the other contained a later entry with several lines marked in red. He looked up as she approached, then pushed both documents towards her."I checked the instruction you sent me," Adrian said. "There is something wrong with the way this was recorded."Sophia examined the marked section. "What exactly did you find?""This part says an authorised representative could approve the change. That was never included in my agreement with Damien." Adrian tapped the paragraph, his expression hardening as he read it again. "We agreed that neither of us could make changes without the other's confirmation."Sophia placed the original beside the later copy. The difference was small, but its implications were not."Did you give Evelyn authority to make that kind of decision?" she asked."No. I allowed her to handle certain family matters, not to alter an agree
Sophia's phone vibrated against the archive desk while she was reviewing the revised application, and the message from the records department immediately caught her attention. She opened it, read the first paragraph and pushed the phone towards Clara, whose expression changed as she examined the reason for the suspension. Damien's withdrawal had removed one of the supporting declarations, leaving insufficient evidence to establish the authority under which the disputed instruction had been processed.“They have suspended the request because Damien withdrew his name,” Clara explained, returning the phone. “Without his declaration, they want additional evidence before considering the application again.”Sophia closed the folder. “Then we find another way to obtain it. I am not abandoning this investigation because someone made a decision without consulting me.”Before Clara could respond, Helen Ward entered carrying a thin file and placed it between them. She opened it to a faded carbon
Clara pulled the acknowledgement from Peter's folder and placed it beside the dispatch register while Sophia leaned over the counter to examine the reference numbers. After checking them for the third time, Clara tapped the two entries and turned towards Peter, her expression sharpening as she noticed the dates.“The numbers match, but this acknowledgement is dated the twelfth, while the dispatch register records the fourteenth.”Peter took the documents from her and examined both entries carefully. “Check the entry above it. Perhaps the dates were transferred incorrectly.”Clara reviewed the preceding record before shaking her head. “The entries are in sequence, and this one was verified separately.”Helen approached the counter, visibly displeased by the growing pile of documents. “I have already explained that the original transfer file is unavailable. You cannot expect me to reconstruct a transaction from incomplete records.”Sophia slid the acknowledgement towards her. “Then help
The visitor record had disappeared, but Clara was not ready to give up. She entered the reference number again, checked the dispatch date and compared it with the archive inventory, yet the result remained unchanged, showing only an incomplete signature and a temporary visitor category.“Someone collected the authorisation personally,” Clara said, turning her laptop towards Sophia. “The system confirms the collection, but the visitor record has been removed.”Sophia leaned closer to the screen. “Can you retrieve the original receipt?”Helen shook her head. “The attachment is missing. Without it, we cannot identify the person who signed.”Peter entered carrying a file, checked the reference number and stopped at the collection date. “This happened before the revised instruction reached the brothers,” he said, looking between the two women.Sophia pointed at the screen. “Who approved the collection?”“I cannot establish that yet,” Peter replied. “I need access to the older visitor regis
“Someone who should never have been involved.”Sophia repeated Adrian’s words as she placed the archive report on his desk. He continued signing a document, pretending not to notice her, until she moved the report directly in front of him and waited for him to look up.“Who were you talking about?” Sophia asked.Adrian dropped his pen and leaned back in his wheelchair. “Sophia, we have already discussed this.”“No, you avoided the question. You recognised the reference in Peter’s report, and now you expect me to ignore it?”“I need time.”“You have had years.”Adrian's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, declined the call and reached for his pen again, making it clear that he had no intention of continuing the conversation.Sophia picked up the report. “I am going to the archive. If you decide to tell me something useful, you know where to find me.”At the Vale records office, Helen Ward was arguing with a clerk over the transfer inven
Adrian stopped turning the pages of the medical report when Sophia mentioned Damien, his fingers resting against the edge of the document as he slowly raised his eyes towards her."You're taking him to the records office?""I'm meeting him there. Peter will be present.""That isn't what I asked, Sophia."She placed her handbag on the chair and moved closer to the bed. "The records concern both of you, Adrian. If we want to understand what happened, we cannot keep examining only your version of events.""Then let Peter investigate. He knows how to handle these things without dragging Damien into them.""Peter has been investigating, but we still have missing documents."Adrian pushed the medical report aside, his expression tightening as he looked at her. "Damien doesn't get to walk back into my life and start deciding what happens.""He isn't deciding anything. We're looking for answers.""Then tell him to stay out of it."Sophia picked up her phone, refusing to let his frustration tu







