I held his gaze, my hand resting on Lily’s back, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest.

“This is my daughter,” Nathan said, stepping between his father and me.

“Her name is Lily.”

“And she is the sole heir to my estate.”

“If you ever come near her, or Emily, I will use every dollar I have to ensure you spend your remaining years in a federal penitentiary.”

Richard’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

He looked at Mr. Hayes, seeking some kind of legal lifeline.

But Mr. Hayes kept his eyes fixed on the mahogany table, his pen rolling slowly between his fingers.

“Get out,” Nathan said.

Richard pulled his coat tight around his shoulders, attempting to salvage some shred of dignity.

He turned on his heel and walked toward the heavy glass doors of the boardroom.

The click of his leather shoes faded down the hallway.

The remaining lawyers in the room began to pack their leather briefcases in silence.

None of them looked at Nathan or me.

“The audit will begin immediately, Nathan,” Mr. Hayes whispered, his voice barely audible.