Chapter 4 - The Page They Added —
June laid two versions of the agreement side by side. The new paragraph sat in an attachment under a harmless heading about administrative matters. It released claims tied to foundation disbursements bearing my name and described them as transactions I had authorized.
“Would I have signed that?” I asked.
“No. We hadn’t begun our final review when you got sick. But someone was counting on a rushed morning and a tired client.”
Dorian leaned over the table. “I never approved this.”
June looked at him. “Your lawyer needs to preserve the messages that brought it into the draft. Immediately.”
He called. This time he used speakerphone.
The attachment had come from Victor’s office at seven twelve that morning, described as a schedule both parties had already cleared. Dorian’s lawyer had placed it in the review packet. He had not yet discussed it with June.
“Who told Victor he could speak for me?” I asked.
Nobody answered.
June photographed the documents and began sending preservation requests. Dr. Mercer had already alerted the hospital’s privacy team to the disputed record. With my permission, June asked them to retain the chart history, not simply correct the visible error.
“I want the truth left intact,” I said. “Even the ugly parts.”
Noah called Dorian. Adrian hadn’t taken an international flight. His car had been left near a small rental office across town. That was all Noah could confirm.
“No chasing him,” June said. “We report this. We preserve what we have. We don’t turn your security staff into police.”
For once, Dorian didn’t argue.
I called the police with June beside me. An investigator would meet us that afternoon. The first report felt small against the size of what had happened, but it existed. My words were finally on a record I had actually authorized.
Then Dorian’s phone lit up.
VICTOR HALE.
June pointed at the table. Dorian answered on speaker.
“Heard Alina had a little episode,” Victor said. “Is she well enough to finish today?”
“Finish what?” Dorian asked.
“The divorce. We need this settled before tomorrow’s financing vote.”
I looked at June.
May you like
Victor laughed softly. “Don’t let the pregnancy cloud your judgment.”
Nobody in that room had told him I was pregnant.
