“Before she died, she made sure I had access to her personal trust.”

“The one you thought you emptied after her funeral.”

Richard’s face paled slightly, the smirk faltering for a fraction of a second.

“There is nothing in that trust but old letters and family photographs,” my father said.

“That is where you are wrong,” Eleanor replied.

She looked at me, a tight, determined smile on her lips.

“Your mother kept the original ledgers, Claire.”

“The ones from the silent partnership.”

I felt a sudden jolt of hope run through me.

“What silent partnership?” I asked.

Eleanor took a deep breath, her eyes locked onto my father’s changing face.

“The partnership between Richard and Senator Sterling,” she said.

Richard took a sudden, aggressive step toward her, his hand reaching out.

“Shut your mouth, Eleanor,” he snarled.

Gabriel instantly stepped in front of Eleanor, his chest pressing against my father’s.

“Touch her and you will not walk out of this building,” Gabriel warned.

The room grew suffocatingly quiet, save for the rain drumming against the high glass windows.

My father stared at Gabriel, then slowly lowered his hand.