“You’re holding Daniel’s business files,” he said, taking two slow steps toward the desk.

“Those do not concern you.”

“They do when my inheritance was used to pay for a lie,” I replied.

He stopped, leaning his weight onto his cane.

“Your inheritance was a contribution to your family’s future,” he said.

“It was a theft,” I countered.

Richard sighed, a sound of mild irritation rather than guilt.

“You always were too stubborn for your own good, Emily.”

He reached into his coat pocket.

My heart hammered against my ribs.

He pulled out a small black mobile phone and held it up.

“Daniel just called me,” Richard said, staring at me.

“He says the corporate accounts are frozen.”

He tapped the screen of the phone.

“I suggest you put that folder down, and we talk about how we can resolve this quietly.”

“There is nothing to talk about,” I said, holding the folder tighter against my chest.

Richard looked down at the paper in my hand, then back up at my eyes.

“You think you have won because of a temporary court order,” he said.