“You cannot prove consent was lacking,” Richard said.

“The digital signature on the authorization form is a JPEG file pasted onto a PDF,” Ethan said. “The metadata shows it was created three days after Hannah was already forced out of the city.”

I felt a cold sweat break out across my forehead.

For five years, I had lived under the shadow of that lie.

Ethan had believed, even for a short time, that I had taken a bribe to abandon him.

The neighborhood we grew up in, the people who used to look at me with respect, they all thought I was a thief who sold her soul.

“I have the full system logs, Father,” Ethan said. “Every IP address associated with the modifications leads back to the executive suite at Harrison Tower.”

“A technical glitch,” Richard said.

“Dr. Aris has already duplicated the files,” Ethan said. “They are currently being uploaded to the state licensing board and the federal banking registry.”

“You are threatening your own inheritance, Ethan,” Richard said.

“I don’t care about the money,” Ethan said.