“You do not have time, Madeline,” she said. “The offer is valid until the court opens at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

She stood up, her coat brushing against the edge of the table.

“If the recantation is not signed and the flash drive is not in my possession by then, the offer is withdrawn.”

“And if we refuse?” I asked.

Eleanor stepped closer to me.

She was shorter than me, but she carried herself with the weight of an empire.

“If you refuse, we will spend twice that amount to destroy you,” she said quietly. “We will tie you up in litigation until you are bankrupt. We will drag Clara’s name through every tabloid in the state.”

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“We will make her look like an unstable, gold-digging liar. And Gareth will still walk free.”

I kept my hands steady at my sides.

“Is that a threat, Eleanor?”

“It is a promise,” she said. “I protect my family. I expect you to protect yours.”

She turned and walked toward the front door.

She paused with her hand on the brass knob.