I closed my eyes for a brief second, feeling a wave of anger wash over me.

“Did Vanessa do this to them?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“The physical evidence suggests prolonged isolation and deliberate deprivation of basic care,” Amelia replied.

“I will write the formal forensic report for Detective Pierce tonight.”

“Thank you, Amelia,” I said.

She nodded grimly and walked back toward the stairs to monitor the girls.

I turned back to my laptop screen, my eyes tracing the lines of stolen capital.

The forged documents showed that every time Vanessa siphoned money, she reduced the girls’ trust funds.

She was erasing them from the family legacy, dollar by dollar, while keeping them hidden away.

I grabbed the printouts from the wireless printer in the corner of the study.

The paper was warm in my cold hands.

I walked out of the study and back into the grand, high-ceilinged foyer.

Benjamin was slumped in a leather armchair near the fireplace, his head buried in his hands.

Vanessa was standing near the front door, flanked by Detective Pierce and another officer.