“You would destroy your father-in-law to punish your husband?” she asked, her voice dripping with venom.

“He is not my father-in-law anymore,” I said.

“He is an accomplice to the theft of my family’s legacy.”

Richard looked at the blue folder, then at the phone, which had started to flash with a red light.

The receptionist downstairs was trying to transfer another call.

“If I do not help him, Daniel will go to prison,” Richard said.

“That is a highly likely outcome,” I agreed.

“He will lose the business. He will lose everything.”

“He already lost it when he signed those papers with Sophia,” I said.

The mention of the mistress’s name made Margaret wince.

“That girl is a temporary distraction,” Margaret muttered, looking away.

“Daniel is your husband, Emily. You took vows.”

“I vowed to love a partner, not a parasite,” I said.

I looked back at Richard, who was rubbing his temples.

“You have a choice to make, Richard,” I said.

“You can spend your retirement fund trying to buy Daniel a reduced sentence, or you can keep your name out of the newspapers.”