My heart hammered against my ribs so loudly I feared he would hear it.

He paused, shining the light toward the leather chairs, then turned and walked back into the hallway.

The heavy door clicked shut, and the lock engaged with a dull thud.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

I stepped out from behind the drapes, my hands cold and damp.

On the side credenza sat twelve leather-bound folders prepared for tomorrow’s meeting.

Each one had a gold-embossed name: Arthur Harlan, Charles Harlan, Thomas Harlan, and the rest of the elders.

I opened my briefcase and pulled out the copies of the DNA results.

I slipped one official laboratory report into the front pocket of each folder.

The documents proved Jared was the father of Courtney Briggs’s unborn child.

I also included the bank records showing Jared had signed for Courtney’s luxury penthouse using company funds.

I closed the leather folders and aligned them perfectly on the credenza.

Then I slipped out of the side exit and took the service elevator down to the garage.