Vanessa had seen the documents. Two weeks later, she persuaded Graham to begin discussing a new power of attorney — one that would name her as decision-maker if he became incapacitated after their marriage.

She had also begun meeting privately with Arthur Bell, a Mercer Ridge board member who’d opposed Graham’s charitable plans for years. Dana obtained photographs of Vanessa and Arthur leaving the same downtown hotel on three occasions.

“They’ve been preparing a capacity challenge,” Benjamin said. “If your condition worsened after the wedding, Arthur could ask the board to suspend you.

Vanessa would control your personal voting shares through the power of attorney.”

“And together they would control the company.”

“Yes.”