“You bastard,” Lila said.

She stepped out from behind the chairs, her high heels clicking loudly on the hardwood floor.

“You told me you would protect me,” she said, her voice rising to a shriek.

“You told me Vivian’s name had to be off the deed or the banks wouldn’t clear the bridge loan!”

Grant’s face turned the color of ash.

“Lila, keep your mouth shut,” Grant hissed under his breath.

“No!” Lila screamed, pointing her finger directly into his face.

“He brought the notary stamp to the kitchen table,” she said, turning to the detective.

“He bought it online under a fake name.”

“He told me he would marry me once the Maribel broke ground.”

“He said Vivian was nothing but an expensive pen we used to sign the first drafts.”

The words hung in the air, cold and heavy.

I stood near the window, my back against the glass.

The air conditioning in the Meridian conference room hummed, blowing cold air against my neck.

I did not say a word.

I watched Caleb Rhodes, who sat at the end of the table, his arms folded over his chest.