“He leveraged your son’s fear of disappointing you, General, to fast-track his own career,” I said.

My mother shook her head, tears of denial welling in her eyes. “No, no. Andrew would never do that. He is a good man. He is a provider.”

“He is a blackmailer, Mother,” I said, my voice cold.

“And he did it at the expense of every qualified officer who actually earned their rank.”

Claire turned to Andrew, her voice cracking. “Andrew? Say something. Tell them she’s lying.”

Andrew didn’t look at her.

He was staring at the thick blue folder remaining in my hands.

“There is more, General,” I said, tapping the edge of the folder against the table.

“I have the financial records showing transfers from Marcus’s personal account to an offshore entity controlled by Andrew.”

“Nearly eighty thousand dollars over four years.”

The General closed his eyes for a brief second, then opened them, looking directly at Andrew.

“Is this true, Carter?” the General asked, his voice deadly quiet.

Andrew swallowed hard, his collar suddenly looking very tight.

“Sir, it’s… it’s not what it looks like,” Andrew stammered, his confident demeanor completely shattered.