“That is illegal,” Graham spat, his face flushing a dark, angry purple. “I am the managing partner of the development group.”

“You were,” Julian corrected him. “Under section twelve of the primary trust, any charge of material asset dissipation immediately suspends your voting shares.”

“Material dissipation?” Graham laughed, a harsh, dry sound. “Because of a piece of jewelry?”

“Because you took a registered family heirloom and used it as collateral for a private loan,” I said.

My voice sounded small in the vast, drafty chapel, but it did not shake.

Graham glared at me, his eyes narrowed into thin slits.

“You think you’re so clever, Evelyn,” he whispered.

Behind him, Sloane was still struggling against Officer Ramirez’s outstretched arm.

“Let go of me,” Sloane hissed, twisting her shoulder away from the officer.

“Ma’am, I need you to hand over the property,” Ramirez said, his voice calm and steady.

“It was a gift!” Sloane cried, her eyes darting to Graham for help. “Graham, tell him! You gave it to me!”

Graham did not even look at her.