lding cell. She was still in shock

dering, it was way above Trent's thinking ca

o escort her to an interrogation room. Cassie stood up, with her wrist

already seated in one of the chairs. "Please, sit down, M

on the detective. They weren't divorced yet so Silverwood wa

to you as Murphy till I verify that information." He sized her for a moment, "You can

ted unsure of

just told me what happened. I tried to get here as fast as I could" Rac

nd aren't you a divorce at

in criminal law. I'll be your stand-in till

"How about Co

e to her apartment after

a would always have

begin." The detect

assie seemed to recognize. They were the

months prior so she secretly performed an

the things she wanted to inform Trent about.

ocument as evidence, Cassie r

ssie said, frowning. "And this t

m afraid the evidence sa

like to see the origin

r the papers. Rachel scanned them quickly.

have a problem," R

ant to avoid a very public and embarrassing preliminary hearing, you

widened. "That

like. But if you don't cooperate, things

r this. We'll take our chan

Let's do it

oment, they just stared at each other. Then, like a puz

d been

d manipulated the audit, fabricated evidence, a

nto Cassie's thoughts.

were not going to court, ask them how much they need fro

r voice shaking. Cassie's eyes widened in

nty million dollars. If you pay that amount, we'll c

ars was everything she had. Her entire life savings. She had worked

his in court, not with Trent's resources arrayed against her

y it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She

aying on his lips. "Very well, Ms. Mur

stody within the hour, the

erything she had, and she knew

d the system to punish her, but why?

: her reputation, her f

by pushing her out. Did they want control

to deserve this treatment. Had she been too successful? T

been declined." The barista's voi

er her usual coffee and pastry. When it was her turn, she handed o

cally searched her purse for another card. But before

low

Ford shoes to his Charvet shirt and bespoke suit. She recognized the des

, and she shook her head. "N

y not used to being refused. "Are

eeling a twinge of embarrassment.

d to the barista, embar

t yourself. But please make it

. Had Trent done something to her

fused to give up. "It's fine," she said, digging thr

r card. This was her

remark. "I guess rich people always

comfortable, but Cass

e barista looked apologetic. "I'm sor

ack the second declined card, C

Why weren't any o

like this? She didn't know, a

tten how to beat. A chill crept up her arms, as

A sheen of humiliation burned across her face, but she fo

e stranger's tone was calm, almost bored, as though her strugg

med to fade into a buzzing no

fuse again, to claw her dignity back, but t

d finally, the words l

was set, eyes unreadable, lips pressed into a thin line that showed

ated him

ssie tried to reclaim her footing. "Thank you," she said, her voice cl

thank you and move on." His voice was smooth, but edged with a blade she coul

ng to prove she wasn't so

t it, the café screen lit

verwood Enterprises CEO Announces Wedding to Murphy Magnolias' Only Daughter." Cassie's chest tighte

she'd been punched in the gut. Trent

r like angry waves. Questions filled her mind, each one heavier than the la

d. It felt like the only solid thing she could hold,

er sister. The betrayal wrapped itself around her

her father