“I will tell them the truth,” Clara said, stepping toward him. “I will tell them you orchestrated the entire stock manipulation scheme.”

“With what proof?” Daniel asked. “The primary servers were wiped yesterday. The physical files are gone.”

He walked over to his desk and picked up a thick folder.

“I have already drafted a statement for my legal team,” Daniel said. “It details how you used your position at your husband’s firm to mislead my investment board.”

“They won’t believe you,” Clara said, though her voice lacked conviction.

“They will,” Daniel said. “Because I am prepared to pay a substantial fine, and I have a clean record. You, on the other hand, have a long history of questionable transactions.”

I pushed the heavy glass door open.

The click of the latch made them both freeze.

Daniel turned his head quickly, his eyes narrowing when he saw me.

Clara looked at me as if I were a ghost, her hand reaching out to steady herself on the back of the sofa.

“Emily,” Daniel said, his voice instantly shifting to a smoother, calmer register. “What are you doing here?”