heavy mahogany door scraped against the

ed instantly. Warren, Jocelyn,

firmly on the oak floorboards. A streak of fresh blood stained the back of her left

rward, pulling a cashmere shawl from

sudden, chilling wave of unfamiliarity washed over her. She stared into Ava's dark, unwavering pupils, her maternal instincts screaming in confusion. Is this really my Ava? Jocelyn

crossed his arms over his chest. "Get

de, sweet smile. She reached out to grab Ava's forearm. "

d. Her voice was low, fla

Her smile faltered. She stared at

t console table. She picked up the thick stack o

eyes scanned the dense legal text. The corner

e papers back

replaced by a razor-sharp clarity. "You know exactly how Grandpa set up the trust. No money moves without the permission o

He stared at the fifteen-year-old girl who was s

verted fourteen million from the operational accounts to cover your losses in the

ins in his neck bulged. "You are delir

e. "Force her to sign it. Do it. Tomorrow morning, I will persona

vously. "You think the SEC will listen to a child's nonsense? You

ecited, her voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "September 3rd, anoth

ch. His chest stopped heaving. He realized the girl standing

end will be a humiliating disaster," Warren hissed th

in half. The thick paper tore with a loud, satisfying rip. She

la," Ava said. "I wil

sneered. "Wi

need money. I need Grandpa Conrad

. The mention of Conrad Bridges s

ave the sanatorium,"

ency board meeting and initiate impeach

cked. He spun around, his heavy footsteps pounding against the floor

She watched him disapp