“He’ll be fine, Claire,” she said, noticing my gaze lingering on the window.

“I’m not just worried about Julian,” I said. “Vanessa. If her father is ruined, she won’t just walk away.”

“No,” Margaret agreed, setting down a mug of tea. “She is her father’s daughter. Arrogant, and dangerous when cornered.”

“She wants the documents that prove her father’s involvement in the shipping fraud,” I said. “She thinks they’re still at the main house.”

“Let her search,” Margaret said. “There is nothing left there for her to find.”

The phone in my pocket buzzed twice.

I pulled it out quickly.

It was a text message from Julian.

*Federal agents are at the main gate. The senator has been detained.*

I showed the screen to Margaret.

She stared at it, her expression hardening.

“It’s starting,” she whispered.

But then, the phone buzzed again.

A different message appeared.

*Vanessa is missing. She left the estate before the agents arrived.*

My stomach dropped.

“Margaret,” I said, my voice barely audible. “She’s not at the main house.”

“Where would she go?” Margaret asked, her brow furrowing.