Chapter 7 - The Doctor Who Never Asked Questions
Doctor Stephen Halden carried a leather briefcase and avoided Elena’s eyes.
Julian welcomed him into the living room as though the appointment had been Elena’s idea.
Several relatives had gathered for lunch, including Daniel, Julian’s sister Marianne, and two board members from Westbrook Holdings.
Elena understood why Julian had invited them.
He did not want a medical evaluation.
He wanted witnesses who would later say she had appeared unstable.
Doctor Halden opened his briefcase.
“I would like to speak with Mrs. Vale privately.”
Julian sat beside Elena.
“She becomes distressed when I leave.”
“I said privately.”
Julian’s smile faded.
Daniel intervened.
“Perhaps Elena would be more comfortable with family present.”
Doctor Halden looked at Daniel.
For a moment, Elena thought the doctor might refuse.
Instead, he removed a document.
“We can begin with a few questions.”
Lily sat on the floor near the sofa, drawing inside a notebook.
The recorder was hidden beneath the table.
Doctor Halden asked Elena the date, the name of the current president, and the address of the villa.
She answered correctly.
He asked whether she experienced paranoia.
Elena looked at Julian.
“What would you call it if your husband forged your signature and emptied your daughter’s trust?”
The relatives shifted.
Julian sighed.
“This is what I’ve been dealing with.”
Doctor Halden wrote something.
Elena leaned forward.
“Did you verify my financial records?”
“That is not part of the evaluation.”
“Did you examine the documents Julian gave you?”
“I reviewed the relevant materials.”
“Who decided they were relevant?”
Daniel answered.
“I did.”
Lily’s pencil stopped moving.
Elena looked at Doctor Halden.
“You accepted medical evidence selected by the legal officer accused of helping my husband steal from me.”
Doctor Halden closed his folder.
“No one has accused Mr. Westbrook of anything.”
“I just did.”
Julian stood.
“This appointment is over.”
Elena remained seated.
“No. It is finally beginning.”
She removed her phone and displayed the photograph of the trust transfer.
“That signature is not mine.”
Daniel laughed softly.
“Elena, you signed the digital authorization in my office.”
“I have not entered your office in two years.”
“You were under considerable stress.”
“Show me the security footage.”
Daniel’s expression did not change.
“The archives are no longer available.”
“Convenient.”
Julian stepped toward Elena.
“You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Lily looked beneath the table.
Julian noticed the movement.
“What are you doing?”
“Drawing.”
“Show me.”
Lily held up the notebook.
She had drawn the room.
Every relative appeared as an animal.
Julian was a snake wearing a tie.
Marianne laughed before covering her mouth.
Julian grabbed the notebook.
“What is this?”
Lily stood.
“It’s you.”
“You think this is funny?”
“No.”
Elena moved toward her daughter.
Julian tore the page in half.
Lily’s eyes filled with tears.
From beneath the table, the recorder continued capturing every word.
Doctor Halden stood.
“I believe we should reschedule.”
Julian turned toward him.
“You were paid to finish the evaluation.”
The room fell silent.
Doctor Halden looked at the relatives.
Daniel closed his eyes.
Julian realized what he had said.
Elena stared at the doctor.
“How much did he pay you?”
Doctor Halden collected his briefcase.
“I cannot discuss private financial arrangements.”
Lily bent down to gather the torn pieces of her drawing.
As she reached beneath the table, Julian saw the silver edge of the recorder.
His face changed.
“What is that?”
Lily grabbed it.
Julian stepped forward.
Elena blocked him.
“Don’t.”
Julian pushed past her and caught Lily’s wrist.
“Give it to me.”
Lily cried out.
Every relative froze.
Julian twisted the recorder from her hand.
Then he looked at the glowing red light.
The device was still recording.
His expression became cold.
“How long have you been doing this?”
Lily began crying.
Elena pulled her daughter away.
Julian raised the recorder.
“Who told you to record me?”
No one saw Lily press the emergency transmitter beneath her cardigan.
Once.
Twice.
Beneath the villa, the security system awakened.
In the guesthouse, Karen’s phone displayed a red signal.
May you like
She picked up the sealed deed.
“Open the main gate,” she told Margaret. “It’s time.”
