My Daughter Saw Her Dead Mother's Old Bank Passbook and Burst Out Laughing: "You Paid for Everything, There Can't Be Anything in There." Then She Threw It in the Trash Right in Front of Me. / Chapter 5 / 8

Chapter 5 - The DinnerThe doctor's name was Ignacio Solaris. He operated a private clinic in Santa Fe and had previously faced complaints involving questionable evaluations of elderly patients from wealthy families. Esteban had obtained emails, payment records, and messages.

The plan was horrifyingly simple. Camila intended to put a sedative and another psychoactive medication into my food. The dosage had apparently been chosen to produce confusion, shaking, disorientation, and paranoia. Then Dr. Solaris would arrive at our house pretending to respond to a medical emergency. His diagnosis had already been prepared. Severe cognitive impairment worsened by grief. Unable to make financial decisions. Potential danger to himself.

With that report, they planned to have me declared incapable of managing my own affairs and take control of my companies.

First, they had tried to steal from a dying woman. Then they planned to erase her widower legally.

I called the commander of the Federal Ministerial Police overseeing the investigation. "We don't have forty-eight hours anymore," I told him. "They're doing it tonight."

The agents agreed to wait nearby for my signal.

At eight o'clock, Camila knocked on the door of my study. "Dad, we made you a special dinner. Mom wouldn't want to see us falling apart."

I followed her downstairs. The dining table looked perfect. Fine porcelain. Candles. Expensive wine. And in front of my seat, a steak covered in dark sauce.

Mauricio stood behind my chair. Camila smiled too brightly. "Eat something, Dad. You need your strength."

I moved the food around with my fork but didn't take a bite. "I'm not hungry."

Mauricio's smile faded. "You need to eat." It didn't sound like a suggestion.

Camila placed a folder beside my plate. "Then let's at least take care of this. These documents will make it easier for us to manage your assets."

Under the powers of attorney was a form from Dr. Solaris's clinic.

"What is this?"

"Just authorization for a medical evaluation. We're worried about you."

She handed me a pen. Both of them watched closely. I held it over the signature line. For two days, I had walked slowly. Pretended to lose my balance. Allowed them to speak to me as though I were helpless.

That performance was over.

I closed the pen. "I'm not signing anything."

Camila leaned closer. "Dad, you're not thinking clearly."

I sat upright. Then I took the old blue passbook from inside my jacket and dropped it onto the table.