“I did,” Ethan said, his voice entirely neutral.

“Then you understand the urgency,” Richard said. “We have a quarterly audit starting on Monday, and I cannot have any unresolved domestic issues complicating the family ledger.”

“Maria Alvarez is not a domestic issue, Richard,” Ethan said. “She is an employee of this estate, which is my personal property.”

A dry laugh came through the speaker.

“The estate is maintained by Cole Holdings, Ethan,” Richard said. “The payroll comes from our corporate accounts. That makes her a corporate matter.”

I felt my heart press against my ribs, cold and heavy.

Lily shifted in my arms, murmuring in her sleep as she tucked her face into the crook of my neck.

“I am overriding the resolution,” Ethan said.

“You do not have the votes to override a security-related termination,” Richard replied. “Your father may have left you the house, but he left me the keys to the treasury.”

“Why are you doing this?” Ethan asked, his voice dropping an octave. “What are you afraid of, Richard?”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.