“Just did,” Ethan said through the speaker.

“The transfer was stopped at eighty-two percent. The remaining funds are locked down.”

Martin let out a low groan and collapsed back into his leather armchair.

The expensive gold watch on his wrist caught the light of the desk lamp as his hand shook.

“And the operational lines for his projects?” my father asked.

“All frozen,” Ethan said.

“The black cards, the executive travel accounts, the lease agreements on the luxury vehicles. Everything is suspended.”

My mother’s phone buzzed violently in her designer purse.

She pulled it out, her manicured nails tapping frantically on the glass screen.

“My card,” she whispered, her eyes widening in horror.

“The transaction at the boutique just got declined. Daniel, how could you?”

My father finally looked at her.

“The free ride is over, Claire,” he said.

She laughed, but the sound was high and sharp, like breaking glass.

“You think you can just cast us out?” she asked.

“I am protecting my company,” my father said.

“And my daughter.”

“This company is half mine,” she spat, her voice rising to a shriek.