The Maid on the Floor Was His Millionaire Daughter
CHAPTER 3 -- Victoria's Second Target
Richard replayed the sentence three times.
"What did she mean by 'too sick'?"
Emily's face went pale.
During the previous month, Victoria had repeatedly asked when Richard's heart medication would be renewed. She had even offered to collect it from the pharmacy.
Richard immediately called his physician.
The tablets in his travel case were supposed to regulate his heart rhythm. A laboratory courier arrived and took them for emergency testing.
Meanwhile, the audit team transformed the dining room into an investigation center. Laptops replaced silver plates. Bank records covered the table.
By midnight, the truth was clear.
Victoria had created eleven imaginary household employees. Their salaries went into accounts she controlled. She had forged Emily's signature on the property loan and redirected the money to her brother's failing investment company.
More than eight million dollars had disappeared.
Victoria watched from the doorway.
"You're trusting a disturbed girl over your wife."
Emily flinched.
Richard stood.
"Do not call her disturbed again."
Victoria produced a folder from her handbag.
Inside was a psychiatric assessment declaring Emily incapable of managing her finances. It carried the signature of Dr. Samuel Pierce, the therapist Victoria had hired.
"If Emily challenges the loan," Victoria said, "this report proves she approved it while mentally unstable. Either way, no court will trust her."
Emily began shaking.
Richard took her hand.
"Then the court will hear from both of us."
The front doors suddenly opened.
Dr. Pierce entered with two private medical attendants. He claimed Victoria had contacted him because Emily was suffering a dangerous episode.
One attendant stepped toward Emily.
Richard blocked him.
"No one touches my daughter."
Victoria calmly raised her phone.
"I have power of attorney over Emily's medical decisions."
The family attorney examined the document.
The signature looked authentic.
For one terrible moment, Emily appeared to lose hope.
Then the laboratory called.
Richard's heart medication had been replaced with pills that could cause dizziness, confusion and, with prolonged use, cardiac failure.
Police were contacted immediately.
Victoria turned toward the exit, but security closed the doors.
Dr. Pierce began backing away.
Richard noticed.
"Why are you frightened, Doctor?"
The auditor opened another payment record.
Victoria had transferred two hundred thousand dollars to Pierce's private clinic.
But the final transaction carried a memo that silenced the room.
Payment authorized: Richard Caldwell medical contingency plan.
