Chapter 10 - The Recording About Adrian.
.Owen looked terrified when he entered the library.
He refused to sit near Vivian.
His attorney participated by phone while Claire documented his return.
Adrian wanted the recording immediately.
Owen insisted on explaining first.
Three months after Helena arrived at the mansion, Vivian began asking Owen to prepare documents unrelated to the separation.
One document transferred voting control of Adrian's company in the event he became mentally incapacitated.
Another named Vivian as temporary trustee over several family assets.
Owen said he became suspicious because the papers were designed to look like emergency documents Adrian had signed years earlier.
"Did you forge my signature on those too?" Adrian asked.
Owen looked down.
"I prepared templates."
"That wasn't my question."
"Yes."
Nathan swore under his breath.
Claire stopped him and kept the interview focused.
Owen explained that he had secretly recorded one planning meeting because he feared Vivian would later claim he acted alone.
The audio was stored on a separate device he had hidden offsite.
He had retrieved it after fleeing the mansion.
The recording began with Vivian asking whether Adrian had recently changed his medical power of attorney.
Owen said no.
Vivian then asked how difficult it would be to make the company's board believe Adrian was emotionally unstable after Helena's disappearance.
Adrian stared at the speaker.
On the recording, Owen sounded uncomfortable.
"He is functioning normally."
Vivian replied, "Grief can change quickly when people know what signs to look for."
Helena's face went pale.
The audio continued.
Vivian talked about missed meetings, angry calls, erratic financial decisions, and private photographs that could be presented without context.
She wanted a narrative ready if Adrian discovered Northbridge.
She did not describe hurting him.
She described discrediting him.
That distinction made the plan feel chillingly practical.
Owen had been asked to build a paper trail that made Adrian appear incapable of managing the company.
Nathan looked at his brother.
"The transfer this morning."
Adrian understood.
If he had reacted wildly to finding Helena, Vivian could point to the financial freeze as proof of instability.
If Nathan released the money, she would still have access to the funds.
Either outcome benefited her story.
Helena reached for Adrian's hand.
"She planned for you to be angry."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"Then I won't give her the version she wants."
He told Claire that from that moment forward, every decision would be documented and approved through independent counsel.
He would not make threats.
He would not remove Vivian from the mansion by force.
He would not give her a dramatic scene she could use.
Vivian watched him with new uncertainty.
Her greatest advantage had always been emotional confusion.
Adrian was taking it away.
Claire arranged for Helena to leave the mansion safely that afternoon.
Adrian offered their home, but Helena hesitated.
The place held too many memories, and she was not ready to pretend everything between them had returned to normal.
Adrian accepted that without argument.
He rented a private apartment nearby under Helena's control and gave her independent access to transportation, counsel, and her own accounts.
"I don't want another person controlling my choices," Helena told him.
"Including me," Adrian said.
Her eyes softened.
"Especially you."
For the first time, a real smile almost appeared.
Then Owen spoke from across the room.
"There is something else."
Claire looked at him.
Owen said the Northbridge money had not remained with Vivian.
A large portion had recently moved into a company called Meridian Civic Partners.
Nathan recognized the name.
Meridian was financing Adrian's biggest upcoming project.
If the project collapsed, the family company could lose hundreds of millions.
Vivian gave Adrian a calm, almost pitying look.
May you like
"Freeze me out if you want."
"By Monday morning, your company will be the thing begging for rescue."
