mal notice of investigation, a clinical and detached summary of accusations that felt like a personal attack. Medical negligence. Intellectual property

xactly who w

sat in his worn leather armchair by the window. He stared out at the garden, but his eyes were distant, lost in

intrusive. I knew it was him

flowers, a gesture so fake it made my stomach turn. He was my father' s former

eard about the board's decision. I'm so s

d, my voice flat. I didn't move to let him in

"I'm just worried about him. And you. This must be so difficult." He tried to peer p

ou showed up," I shot back. "Until y

acts, Evelyn. Your father's condition has deteriorated under your care. And his re

ntire life, to come home and take care of him. I was organizing his notes,

uccessor. You are just a daughter who is in over her head. The board sees that. Everyone will see it." H

olleague, a friend of the family, was now a stranger twisting a knif

d, and now this public humiliation pressed down on me. I felt a dee

slowly curdling into a possessive obsession I had tried to ignore.

e distraction. The name on the screen was Liam Hayes. A former patient, a tech billionaire whose life I

' s voice was calm and steady, a

I lied, turning m

raight to the point. "About the board. Abo

ring support felt like a lifeline. "Liam, I... I

o i

ding there, watching me, his jaw set in a stubborn

h a bitterness I couldn't hide. "He's telling every

r being... ambitious. Evelyn, listen to me. Don't let him isolate you. Whatever you need-lawyers, investigators, a p

Julian, my expression no longer one of defeat, but of cold fury. He was sti

for argument. "You are not welcome in this house. You are not

n. Your reputation is ruined. Soon, Arthur's research will

ed, my hand tighten

his lips. "As you wish. But don't come c

ght was just beginning, but for the first time since the letter arrived, I didn't feel completely alone. I was no longer