Chapter 9 - the account in lily’s name
Michael led Samuel to a locked consultation room.
Owen stood outside to watch the corridor.
Inside, Samuel placed the ledger on the table.
Most pages contained strings of account numbers, dates, and transfers. Some had the words Aurelia Community Trust written across the top.
Michael turned the pages quickly.
“This was the hospital’s charitable care fund.”
“How much money?”
“Over forty million dollars was donated during the years covered by this ledger.”
Samuel stared at him.
“And they still refused children at the door.”
“The fund was supposed to pay for patients who had no insurance.”
Michael pointed to several company names.
“These are Meridian Health subsidiaries.”
“Victor’s companies?”
“Yes.”
Samuel opened Evelyn’s letter.
The paper had yellowed, but the writing remained clear.
My dearest Lily,
If you are reading this, the people who separated your family have failed to keep you hidden.
Your father discovered that St. Aurelia’s charity fund was being stolen. He copied the original financial records before Victor could destroy them.
When Victor realized what Michael had done, he arranged the crash.
Michael survived, but Victor kept him isolated and changed parts of his identity while he recovered.
I found proof, but I could not reach him.
The money stolen from the hospital was moved into a private trust. Victor placed the trust in my name because he believed no one would question his daughter.
I changed the beneficiary.
The trust now belongs to you.
When you turn seven, control of the trust automatically transfers to your legal guardian unless the hospital proves you are medically incapable of inheriting.
Do not let Victor control your treatment.
Do not sign anything at St. Aurelia.
Samuel stopped reading.
Michael looked toward the date on the letter.
“When did Lily turn seven?”
“Yesterday.”
Michael immediately stood.
“That is why they restricted her file.”
“What do you mean?”
“If they declare her medically incapacitated while she is under their care, Victor can petition the court to appoint a financial guardian.”
“He could control the trust.”
“He could take the money back.”
Samuel’s face went cold.
“How much is in it?”
Michael examined the account codes in the ledger.
“The original balance was twelve million dollars.”
Samuel almost laughed from disbelief.
“I had eighteen dollars in my bank account this morning.”
“Victor did not want you to know the trust existed.”
“Why not simply take it before Lily turned seven?”
“Evelyn protected it with an automatic transfer and external trustees.”
Samuel looked toward the wall separating them from Lily.
“They wanted her brought here tonight.”
Michael nodded.
“Someone sent you the envelope because they knew the transfer had happened.”
“Victor said he didn’t send it.”
“Then who did?”
A knock sounded.
Owen entered.
“Administrator Vale is coming with legal counsel and two police officers.”
Samuel gathered the documents.
“Can they remove Lily?”
“Not while she’s unstable,” Michael said. “But they may claim I’m compromised because of my relationship to her.”
“Are you?”
Michael looked directly at him.
“I am her doctor until someone more qualified takes over.”
“That is not what I asked.”
Michael glanced toward Lily’s room.
“I don’t know how to be her father.”
Samuel placed the silver locket in his hand.
“You start by staying.”
The door opened before Michael could answer.
Lenora entered with Victor Cross and two uniformed officers.
Victor’s gaze fell on the ledger.
“That property belongs to St. Aurelia,” he said.
Samuel placed himself in front of the table.
“It belonged to Evelyn.”
Victor’s expression changed.
“So you opened the letter.”
Michael stepped beside Samuel.
“You falsified my identity, kept me confined, and stole money from a charity fund.”
Victor looked at him with disappointment.
“We rebuilt your life.”
“You buried it.”
Lenora handed a document to one of the officers.
“Dr. Reed accessed restricted financial records and removed confidential patient information. We are requesting his immediate detention.”
The officer examined the paper.
Michael did not move.
Then Owen lifted his phone.
“Before anyone detains him, you should watch what happened at the entrance.”
He played the recording.
Lenora watched herself standing on the balcony while Lily struggled outside.
The officers’ expressions changed.
Victor remained calm.
“One recording proves nothing.”
Owen looked at him.
“It proves you ordered us to lock the doors.”
Victor turned to Lenora.
She said nothing.
From the corridor came the sound of an alarm.
Michael rushed toward the door.
May you like
A nurse shouted from Lily’s room.
“Doctor, someone changed her medication order!”
