“Yes,” Jonathan said. “She looked at me and told me that if I file those papers, she will destroy the company.”

“How can she do that?” I asked. “It’s your family’s empire.”

“Her father has three senators in his pocket, and the state attorney general is a close family friend,” Jonathan said.

He rubbed his face with both hands, looking exhausted.

“She threatened to initiate a federal investigation into our international acquisitions,” he said.

“Is there something to find?” I asked, my heart beating faster.

“Harrison has been cutting corners for a decade,” Jonathan admitted, his voice flat. “She knows exactly where the bodies are buried.”

“She would ruin herself just to hurt you?” I asked.

“She doesn’t care about the money,” Jonathan said. “She cares about the power, and she cares about winning.”

He looked around my studio again, his eyes lingering on a small watercolor painting Liam had made last week.

“She told me she would make sure I have nothing left to offer you or the children,” he said.

“I don’t want your money, Jonathan,” I said, my voice steady despite the panic rising in my chest. “I never did.”