“The one your grandfather signed, Nathan.”

“What does that mean for us, Mr. Hayes?” Nathan asked.

“It means,” Mr. Hayes said, looking directly at Richard, “that any attempt to transfer shares without the consent of the primary heir’s guardian is completely invalid.”

“And who is the primary heir?” I asked, wanting to hear him say the words.

“Lily,” Mr. Hayes said softly. “The moment she was born, she became the sole beneficiary of the core trust.”

Richard let out a low groan, his head sagging forward.

The red wax seal seemed to catch the harsh fluorescent lights of the boardroom.

It was the proof of the lie Richard had lived for four months.

He had hidden my pregnancy, paid off associates, and threatened me, all to keep this piece of paper from coming to light.

Outside, the faint sound of sirens began to rise above the city traffic, echoing off the concrete walls of the skyscrapers below.

“They’re coming, Dad,” Nathan said, his voice cracking slightly with emotion.

Richard didn’t answer; he just stared at the broken glass on the wet floor.