“Because Vanessa is carrying the only male heir to the Mercer name,” Robert said. “Patricia didn’t care about your marriage, Clara. She only cared about the legacy. And she was using her own money to hide Vanessa from you until the divorce was finalized.”

The phone on Robert’s desk began to buzz.

He looked at the caller ID and frowned.

“It’s Daniel’s attorney,” he said.

He hit the speaker button. “Robert Hayes.”

“Robert,” a voice said, sounding strained and hurried. “We need to talk before we go to chambers.”

“I am with my client, Clara,” Robert said. “We are prepared to present our evidence of flight risk and harassment.”

“We want to make an offer,” the attorney said.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.

“Daniel is willing to sign over the custody agreement,” the attorney said. “No visitation rights until the federal inquiry is resolved. In exchange, you drop the motion to freeze the secondary accounts.”

Robert looked at me.

I shook my head.

“No deal,” Robert said into the phone. “The federal inquiry is out of our hands anyway. Your client tried to flee the country with nine million dollars.”