diff --git a/src/testdriver/runner.py b/src/testdriver/runner.py
index d2d30e2..b219d93 100644
--- a/src/testdriver/runner.py
+++ b/src/testdriver/runner.py
@@ -326,8 +326,8 @@ class Runner:
 
         result_verdict = overall(judgments)
         # Even an assertion-free trailing step is part of the scheduled run.
-        # Preserve observed failures, but a passing prefix cannot certify an abort.
-        if aborted and result_verdict is Verdict.PASS:
+        # Preserve failures, but passing assertions cannot certify an unrealized step.
+        if (aborted or not scenario_sound) and result_verdict is Verdict.PASS:
             result_verdict = Verdict.INCONCLUSIVE
         pack.run_verdict = result_verdict.value
         if evidence_store is not None:
diff --git a/tests/test_evidence_completeness.py b/tests/test_evidence_completeness.py
index 05ca4e8..0417bb9 100644
--- a/tests/test_evidence_completeness.py
+++ b/tests/test_evidence_completeness.py
@@ -155,3 +155,26 @@ def test_truncating_the_manifest_too_cannot_hide_a_missing_baseline_step(baselin
     candidate["verdicts"] = [v for v in candidate["verdicts"] if v["step_id"] != missing]
     candidate["observations"] = [o for o in candidate["observations"] if o["step_id"] != missing]
     assert not classify(baseline, candidate).safe_to_accept
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('mutation,expected', [(None, Verdict.INCONCLUSIVE), ('M17', Verdict.FAIL)])
+def test_failed_trailing_realization_cannot_leave_a_passing_receipt(tmp_path, mutation, expected):
+    from testdriver import Step, SemanticAction
+    from testdriver.storage import EvidenceStore
+    world, driver, observer, asset, oracle = build(*([mutation] if mutation else []))
+    asset.scenario = replace(
+        asset.scenario,
+        use_case=replace(asset.scenario.use_case, invariants=()),
+        steps=(*asset.scenario.steps, Step('trailing-read', 'bob', SemanticAction(
+            'read_resource', {'resource_id': 'absent'}, frozenset({'api'})))),
+    )
+    store = EvidenceStore(tmp_path)
+    result = Runner(world, driver, observer, oracle).run(asset, evidence_store=store)
+    assert result.verdict is expected
+    assert store.load(result.run_id)['run_verdict'] == expected.value
+    assert any(o.kind == 'realization' and o.step_id == 'trailing-read' and o.data['raised']
+               for o in result.evidence.observations)
+    assert not any(j.step_id == 'trailing-read' for j in result.judgments)
+    if not mutation:
+        assert all(j.verdict is Verdict.PASS for j in result.judgments)
+    assert not classify(store.load(result.run_id), store.load(result.run_id)).safe_to_accept
diff --git a/workplans/TD-WP-0004-scope-evidence-and-variants.md b/workplans/TD-WP-0004-scope-evidence-and-variants.md
index 7e3e1e7..aabfee7 100644
--- a/workplans/TD-WP-0004-scope-evidence-and-variants.md
+++ b/workplans/TD-WP-0004-scope-evidence-and-variants.md
@@ -164,3 +164,14 @@ all 31 final parity cases pass, including native pytest reporting in a subproces
 The related subset passed 93 tests. Full suite: **471 passed in 167.82 seconds**.
 `git diff --check` is clean. Decision: `c06c8752-80db-4458-9eaf-6321a0ca710c`.
 No new task/workplan; T05 remains waiting and this workplan remains blocked.
+
+
+**2026-09-28 final run-verdict follow-up — done (T04).** A failed scheduled
+realization now prevents a passing aggregate even when no claims follow it.
+RunResult and persisted run_verdict become INCONCLUSIVE; previously observed
+FAIL is preserved. Added two receipt-level regressions (one reproduced the false
+PASS before the fix; the prior-failure control already passed). Focused evidence
+suite: **62 passed**. Final full suite: **473 passed in 167.98 seconds**.
+`git diff --check` is clean. No new task/workplan; pilot T05 stays waiting and
+TD-WP-0004 stays blocked. The session closes with existing external prerequisites
+explicitly retained, not promoted to completion.