She clicked through several legal databases, her brow furrowing deep.

“Shelby, this isn’t a one-time transaction.”

I leaned forward, my hands gripping the cold wooden edge of her desk. “What do you mean?”

“Aegis Medical has been receiving regular monthly payments from Harlan Media for the last five years,” she said.

I stared at her, trying to make sense of the words. “Monthly payments? For what?”

“They are logged as corporate consulting fees and promotional partnerships,” Evelyn said, turning her monitor toward me.

A long spreadsheet of transactions filled the screen, dating all the way back to 2019.

“Harlan Media’s lifestyle division has been funding Sterling’s private cosmetic clinic in exchange for exclusive media segments,” she explained.

“It’s not just a partnership,” I said, the realization settling heavily in my chest. “Jared bought him.”

“He owns him,” Evelyn corrected quietly. “More than sixty percent of Sterling’s annual clinic revenue comes directly from your husband’s company.”

The air in the office felt suddenly freezing.

“So the surgery,” I whispered. “The unexpected complications. The heavy sedation I felt afterward.”