Chapter 8 - THE PHYSICIAN'S SECOND STORY| Dr. Ferro arrived at the mansion carrying a fresh medical report.
He claimed Adriano's symptoms were worsening and recommended a period of supervised rest. He also suggested that the family council appoint a temporary administrator to handle business decisions while Adriano underwent further evaluation.
Adriano listened without interrupting.
When Ferro finished, he asked one question.
"Have you reviewed the independent laboratory report?"
The physician's expression changed.
"Which report?"
"The report identifying unexpected substances in the residue from my glass."
Ferro placed the folder on the table.
"I have not seen that document."
"Then you shouldn't be making conclusions about my condition."
"Your symptoms are consistent with burnout and medication interactions."
"Which medications?"
Ferro opened his bag and removed the list of prescriptions he had authorized.
Several entries had been altered after the dates on the pharmacy records.
Adriano noticed immediately.
"Who changed these dosages?"
Ferro glanced at the papers.
"I would need to review the original file."
"You signed the changes."
The physician sighed.
"Adriano, you are not thinking clearly. Your suspicions are becoming more elaborate."
"Perhaps because the evidence is becoming more specific."
He signaled to Marcus, who placed the laboratory report beside the prescriptions.
Ferro read it slowly.
His hands began to tremble.
"Where did you obtain this?"
"From an independent laboratory."
"You should not have sent the sample outside the medical team."
"Why?"
"Because the results can be misinterpreted."
"Then explain them."
Ferro remained silent.
Adriano rose.
"Did you prescribe medication that could impair my alertness?"
The physician's face tightened.
"Under certain circumstances, medications can have unexpected effects."
"Did you knowingly combine them with another substance?"
Ferro looked toward the door.
Marcus stepped in front of it.
"You will answer the question, Doctor."
Ferro closed his eyes.
"I was told the treatment was intended to control your anxiety and help you sleep."
"By whom?"
He hesitated.
"Simone Bellini."
Adriano's expression became unreadable.
"What did Simone tell you?"
"He said you had agreed to a private medical plan. He provided a signed authorization and assured me that you wanted the treatment kept confidential."
"Did you verify the signature?"
"No."
"Did you speak to me about the plan?"
Ferro lowered his head.
"No."
Adriano felt anger rise, but he forced himself to remain calm.
"Then you used my medical records without verifying that I had consented."
The doctor nodded.
"I made a mistake."
"That is one word for it."
Ferro revealed that Simone had been paying him through a consulting company, supposedly to manage a long-term treatment program. He claimed he had not known that the office tumbler was being used as part of the arrangement.
Adriano watched him closely.
"You're saying you prescribed medication without meeting with me, altered the records, accepted concealed payments, and never questioned why I kept forgetting things?"
Ferro swallowed.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I believed I was protecting my career."
Adriano stepped away.
For a moment, he felt sorry for the man.
Then he remembered the days he had doubted his own mind.
"You will provide every record to the investigators. You will not contact Simone or Valentina."
Ferro nodded miserably.
As he left, Marcus handed Adriano a new message from the laboratory.
The final analysis had confirmed repeated exposure to a substance that could impair alertness and memory.
But the analyst had found something else.
The substance had not entered the tumbler by accident.
The residue contained traces of a material consistent with a deliberate addition made shortly before the glass was filled.
Someone had been preparing his drink.
May you like
Someone who knew his routine.
And someone who wanted him to keep drinking.
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