“You knew that if Morgan discovered the missing trust money, her security clearance would require her to report it.”

“So you destroyed her credibility first.”

I looked at my husband, seeing the sudden, crushing weight of reality hit him.

He looked like a man who had just watched his entire world turn to ash.

“Emma is my daughter,” he whispered, his eyes filling with tears.

“She always was, Daniel,” I said.

“You let your mother convince you otherwise because you were too proud to look at the bank statements.”

He covered his mouth with his hand, a soft sob escaping his throat.

“I’m so sorry,” he muttered, his eyes welling with tears.

“Be quiet, Daniel,” Patricia snapped, her voice turning cold and venomous.

“Do not say another word to them.”

“We are calling our lawyers.”

“Your lawyers cannot stop a federal embezzlement charge, Mrs. Vance,” Hayes said.

“The local sheriff’s department is already coordinating with our unit.”

“They will be here in less than five minutes.”

Daniel looked at his mother as if seeing a stranger.

The adoration in his eyes was completely gone.