His coat was damp from the autumn drizzle, and his jaw was set in a hard, familiar line.

“Ava,” he said, his voice low and vibrating with anger.

“Mr. Parker,” Dean Vance said, stepping directly into his line of sight. “This is a private academic office, and you do not have permission to be here.”

“I am here to handle a family matter,” my father said, ignoring her completely.

He looked past her, his eyes locking onto me.

“You are coming with me right now,” he said. “You have committed fraud, and your mother is at home waiting for the police.”

“I haven’t done anything wrong, Dad,” I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could.

“You stole my corporate card to pay your tuition deposit,” he said. “That is grand larceny.”

“That was my money,” I said. “That was my inheritance.”

“You don’t have an inheritance,” he spat.

Dean Vance raised her hand. “Mr. Parker, if you do not step out of this office immediately, I am pressing the silent alarm for campus security.”