“You know nothing about this family, Emily,” Richard said. “You think you can just walk in here and take what took generations to build?”

“I don’t want your money, Richard,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the hammering in my chest. “I want my daughter’s future. And I want the truth.”

“The truth is whatever is written in these books,” Richard said, tapping the leather cover with his thumb. “And if these burn, the truth goes with them.”

Nathan didn’t look at the lighter.

He kept his eyes locked on his father’s face.

“You altered the trust, didn’t you?” Nathan asked, his voice quiet. “Before Lily was even born. You knew Emily was pregnant, and you changed the terms so that any child of mine born out of wedlock would be entirely excluded from the estate.”

Richard didn’t deny it.

He only held the lighter closer to the paper.

“I did what was necessary to protect the legacy,” Richard said. “You were weak, Nathan. You still are.”

“That is fraud, Father,” Nathan said. “The original trust agreement was signed by Grandfather. You didn’t have the legal authority to amend it without my consent.”