Chapter 5 - The Missing Millions
Nathan’s private audit uncovered the first missing payment within forty-eight hours.
The Mercer Foundation had collected millions in rent and management fees connected to the hospital property. Yet large portions had been transferred to consulting firms with no employees, no offices, and no visible services.
Two of those companies were controlled by Daniel.
A third belonged to Margaret.
The total was nearly nine million dollars.
Elena felt sick when Nathan gave her the figures.
“My father trusted them.”
“Your father suspected them,” Nathan corrected. “That is why he protected the trust.”
“Can we prove Daniel knew?”
“We can prove he signed the transfers. But he may claim you approved them.”
“I never did.”
“He has copies of documents carrying your signature.”
Elena stared at him.
“Forgeries?”
“Possibly. Or documents hidden inside other paperwork.”
She remembered the years of pages Daniel had placed in front of her.
Tax forms.
Insurance renewals.
Foundation approvals.
He always marked the signature lines and told her he had already reviewed everything.
Elena had mistaken convenience for care.
Nathan advised her to leave the hospital quietly and stay somewhere secure.
Elena almost agreed.
Then Daniel entered with a physician named Dr. Collins.
Dr. Collins asked Elena strange questions about the date, the hospital, and whether she believed people were plotting against her.
Elena answered calmly.
Daniel interrupted repeatedly.
“She was confused last night.”
“No, I wasn’t,” Elena said.
“She accused my mother of stealing.”
“My document folder is missing.”
Daniel gave Dr. Collins a sad look.
“This is what I mean.”
Elena understood immediately.
They were not waiting for her condition to worsen.
They were building a story.
By the time she turned thirty-five, Daniel wanted the hospital staff to believe she could not manage her own affairs.
Elena smiled at Dr. Collins.
“I would like all future evaluations conducted without my husband present.”
May you like
Daniel’s expression hardened.
The battle had finally become visible.
