Chapter 7 - THE MEDICINE IN ARTHUR’S GLASS.
Claire took the pen from Arthur before he could collapse.
His breathing had changed, and his right hand would not close properly.
Evelyn remained strangely calm.
She pointed toward the square tumbler beside her chair.
“Age is humiliating, Arthur. Perhaps now you understand why leadership should pass to someone stronger.”
Claire examined the liquor tray.
Arthur’s usual water glass stood near the decanter.
A faint residue marked the rim.
No one identified it or guessed what it was.
Claire simply sealed the glass inside an evidence bag and called emergency services.
Evelyn accused her of creating theater.
Claire answered, “You call it theater whenever the victim refuses to collapse privately.”
Marcus checked the hallway camera.
It showed Evelyn entering the library before everyone else and switching two tumblers.
Arthur remained conscious.
He looked at his sister with disbelief.
“You tried to make me appear incompetent.”
Evelyn leaned closer.
“I tried to stop a weak man from surrendering a family empire to servants.”
One of the housekeepers stepped forward.
“We cooked for your children, cleaned after your parties, and carried your husband when he was ill. But the moment we ask where our money went, we become servants again.”
Arthur signed the temporary transfer with an independent witness and medical personnel present.
Evelyn lost her voting authority.
Then the family attorney called.
He said an emergency court order had already declared Arthur incompetent.
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The application had been signed by Claire.
She had never seen it.
