“Tomorrow is too late,” Harrison said, looking frantically toward the idling Mercedes. “Once Patricia realizes I have this data, she will file a protective order. She will claim I stole corporate secrets.”

He turned back to me, his eyes wide.

“Please, Claire,” he said. “Just pay the primary creditor. If you do, I’ll sign an affidavit tomorrow morning admitting to everything. I’ll give you the ledger. You can use it to get your IP back.”

I looked at the black USB drive in his hand.

It contained the proof I had spent the last six months looking for.

It was the key to proving that Patricia Voss had systematically looted my company, Aurelia Software, to fund her failing real estate dynasty.

But looking at Harrison, I felt nothing but a cold, heavy disgust.

He was still trying to buy his way out of the consequences of his own weakness.

“No,” I said.

Harrison froze, his mouth slightly open. “What?”

“I am not giving you a single dollar,” I said. “I am not saving you from bankruptcy.”

“Claire, I will go to prison,” he whispered.