“The authorities are on their way, Richard,” Gabriel said, keeping his voice steady.

“They already have the digital backups. This house is surrounded.”

Richard took another step forward.

“You think a few digital copies will hold up in court without the originals?” Richard asked.

“A good defense lawyer can challenge digital metadata for years.”

“But the physical ledgers, signed in Margaret’s own hand, with her personal seals? Those are different.”

He looked past Gabriel’s shoulder, his eyes locking onto me.

“Give them to me, Claire, and I will make sure the charges against you disappear.”

“You framed me,” I said, my voice shaking but clear.

“You let Ethan and Vanessa set me up for your embezzlement.”

“It was a business decision,” Richard said coldly.

“Vanessa had a future. Ethan had the connections we needed.”

“And you were always looking for things you shouldn’t have been looking for.”

He took another step, flicking open the lid of the brass lighter.

The small yellow flame danced in the dark room, casting long, monstrous shadows on the walls.

“If I cannot have them, no one will,” Richard said.