“Not yet.”

Pierce tapped another folder.

“But we can prove the money moved. We can prove Sabrina met with attorneys. We can prove Mason’s company was connected to the transfers. And you have the tablets Tessa saved.”

Conrad looked toward the window.

His greatest mistake had not been trusting Sabrina.

It had been assuming that because he understood business, he understood people.

The Conversation About His Estate

Sabrina arrived two afternoons later wearing a cream coat and carrying an expensive handbag.

She stopped when she saw Conrad sitting upright.

For half a second, her face changed.

Then the concerned-wife expression returned.

“You look stronger.”

“A little.”

She kissed his forehead and sat beside the bed.

After several minutes of meaningless conversation, she sighed.

“There’s something uncomfortable we need to discuss.”

Conrad already knew.

“My estate?”

Sabrina blinked.

“Actually, yes.”

She reached for his hand.

“I hate talking about this, but we have to be practical. Your condition has been unpredictable. If you suddenly couldn’t make decisions, the companies could become chaotic.”

Conrad studied the woman he had once believed he knew better than anyone.

“What do you suggest?”

Her shoulders relaxed.

“A temporary restructuring. Maybe some updated documents. Nothing dramatic.”

“Invite the attorney.”

Sabrina smiled.

“Really?”

“Friday morning.”

She stood.

Before leaving, she glanced at the untouched tray beside the bed.

“You need to eat more.”

“Tessa has been making most of my meals.”

Sabrina froze.

Only briefly.

But Conrad noticed.

“Tessa?”

“She’s surprisingly good.”

Sabrina smiled again, but the warmth had vanished.

“How nice.”

The moment she left the house, Conrad called Pierce.

“She knows something has changed.”

“Then Friday could get interesting.”

Conrad looked at the two new tablets Miriam had delivered that morning.

“That is exactly what I’m counting on.”

Friday Morning

Sabrina arrived at ten.

She was not alone.

Mason Rourke stepped out of the passenger side of her car carrying a leather portfolio.

Conrad watched through the upstairs window.

That single image removed whatever doubt remained.

Thirty minutes earlier, Conrad’s attorney, Graham Beckett, had already delivered copies of Tessa’s statement, financial records, and preserved tablets to the appropriate investigators.

When Sabrina and Mason entered the sitting room, Conrad walked downstairs slowly with a cane.

Sabrina’s eyes widened.

“You’re walking?”

“Apparently.”

Miriam stood near the doorway.

Graham sat beside Conrad.

Mason opened his portfolio.

“I understand we’re discussing continuity planning.”

Conrad sat down.

“We are discussing several things.”

Graham placed three folders on the table.

“Before anyone signs anything, Mr. Ellison would like clarification regarding a substance repeatedly given to him during his illness.”

Nobody moved.

Then Conrad looked directly at Sabrina.

“I stopped taking those tablets nine days ago.”

The color left Miriam’s face.

Sabrina remained still.

Conrad continued.

“And nine days ago is when I started getting better.”

The First Person to Break

Miriam looked at Sabrina.

That was all it took.

Graham opened the first folder.

“We have laboratory results.”

The second.

“We have financial transfers connected to Ms. Pike’s immediate family.”

The third.

“And we have a witness statement describing a conversation about dosage.”

Sabrina leaned back.

“This is absurd.”

“Then there should be nothing to worry about,” Conrad replied.

Miriam suddenly spoke.

“She told me they were prescribed.”

Sabrina turned sharply.

“Miriam, stop talking.”

The room became completely silent.

Miriam’s eyes filled with panic.

“You said he was already sick.”

“Be quiet.”

“You told me they were only supposed to keep him calm!”

Sabrina stood.

“She is lying because she stole money from us.”

Miriam stared at her.

Then something inside her broke.

She began explaining everything.

Sabrina had supplied the bottles.

At first, Miriam claimed she believed they were ordinary medication.

Later, she had asked why the containers had no pharmacy labels.

Sabrina told her not to ask questions.

Then came the promised payment.

Mason moved toward the door.

Conrad looked at him.

“I wouldn’t leave yet.”

“I have nothing to do with your marital problems.”

Graham slid a page across the table.

“Then perhaps you can explain why funds from a company under your control eventually reached Miriam’s family.”

Mason stopped.

For the first time, Sabrina looked at him rather than Conrad.

“You told me that money couldn’t be traced.”

Mason’s expression changed.

Conrad almost laughed.

They were falling apart without anyone raising a voice.

What Happened After the Truth Came Out

The following months were exhausting.

There were interviews, attorneys, financial reviews, and a divorce.

Miriam agreed to cooperate with investigators.

Sabrina moved out permanently.

Mason spent far more time with legal counsel than he had expected.

Conrad did not try to manufacture revenge.