“He will disown you to protect the family name.”

He tapped the paper on the desk with his index finger.

“Sign the agreement, and the documents stay in my safe.”

“Refuse, and your family will know you as a thief by tomorrow morning.”

I looked at the folded white paper.

I could feel the cold draft from the window behind me.

“You would destroy my relationship with my father for money?” I asked.

“I am protecting what is mine,” Ethan said.

“I built that firm.”

“I did not spend fifteen years working eighty hours a week to give half of it to you.”

He walked over to the door and unlocked it.

“You have until tomorrow morning at nine to sign.”

“If it is not on my desk by then, I make the call to your father.”

He opened the door and walked out.

His footsteps echoed down the hallway and then faded as he went down the stairs.

A moment later, I heard the front door slam shut.

I sat in the silence of the study for a long time.