“They think I am a child who inherited a toy she doesn’t know how to play with,” I said.

“It is dangerous, Avery,” Malcolm said. “If your father realizes you have these financial records, he will have nothing left to lose.”

“I will have Calvin with me,” I said. “And I will have these documents.”

“And if they refuse to sign the waiver relinquishing their claim?” Malcolm asked.

“They won’t,” I said. “Because the alternative is public ruin. I will make sure they understand that.”

I turned back to the desk and picked up my cracked phone.

I scrolled through my contacts until I found the number my mother had used to call me in the truck.

I hesitated for a second, my thumb hovering over the screen, before I tapped the dial button.

It rang three times before she answered.

“Avery?” her voice was a hushed whisper, background noise of a busy hotel lobby rustling behind her.

“I am at Malcolm’s office,” I said, keeping my voice steady and cold. “We need to talk about the transition.”

“Did you stop the trucks?” she asked quickly.