The elevator bell chimed, a sharp, metallic sound that echoed through the quiet room.

The heavy doors slid open.

Vanessa stood in the opening, her wedding makeup smudged beneath her eyes.

Her white silk dress was damp at the hem, dragging on the tiled floor.

Her hair, which had been styled in perfect curls hours before, was flat and clinging to her cheeks.

She looked small and fragile, stripped of the expensive perfection she usually wore like armor.

“Claire,” she gasped, stepping out of the elevator.

She did not even look at Gabriel.

“You have to help me,” she said, her voice cracking as she reached out.

“They are taking everything, Claire.”

She took two trembling steps toward me, her heels clicking loudly on the concrete floor.

“Ethan was arrested an hour ago at the hotel,” she sobbed, pressing a hand to her chest.

“The federal agents were waiting in the lobby right after you left.”

“They have warrants for the foundation’s accounts, and they’re freezing our personal assets.”

I stood up from the leather sofa but did not move toward her.