“I need you to prepare the emergency freeze order for the Midwest division,” my father said.

“I’m on it,” Ethan said. “Should I include the corporate credit cards?”

My father looked at Martin, who was watching him with pleading eyes.

“Yes,” my father said. “Block every card assigned to Martin Collins and his immediate family.”

“No!” my mother cried, jumping to her feet. “Daniel, you can’t leave us with nothing!”

My father ignored her and kept his eyes on the wall.

“And Ethan,” my father added. “Have the legal team draft the termination papers for Martin. I want him locked out of the Columbus office by midnight.”

“I’ll have security change the badges immediately, sir,” Ethan said.

“Thank you,” my father said.

He was about to hang up when his phone buzzed in his hand with a high-priority notification.

The screen flashed red.

My father lowered the phone from his ear and looked at the screen.

A new email alert had just arrived from the automated banking system.

He stared at it, his brow furrowing.

“Dad?” I asked, stepping closer. “What is it?”