Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 111 - Chapitre 120

Riley's POV We had to return back to our penthouse after the confrontation with Victoria. 2 days later another social worker arrives at our penthouse at exactly nine AM, her clipboard already armed with questions. "Ms. Plia, I'm Janet Crawford from Child Protective Services." She's younger than I expected, maybe early thirties, with tired eyes that suggest she's seen too much. "We need to discuss the allegations regarding your daughter's welfare." Brett moves closer to me, his hand finding the small of my back. The touch steadies me, but I can feel his anger radiating through his fingertips. "What specific allegations?" His voice is controlled, but there's steel underneath. "I'm sorry, Mr. Graham, but this conversation needs to be between myself and Ms. Plia." Crawford's tone is professional but firm. "You may be present, but you cannot speak for her." I straighten my shoulders. After everything Victoria put me through yesterday, I won't let another woman make me feel smal

Riley's POVThe elevator doors slide open, and three men in suits step into our penthouse like they own it. Behind them, Crawford looks uncomfortable, her earlier warmth completely gone."Ms. Plia, by order of Judge Morrison, we're here to remove Lily Plia from this residence immediately." The lead officer holds up official papers that might as well be a death warrant."No." I position myself between them and the hallway to Lily's room. "The hearing isn't until this afternoon.""Emergency circumstances require immediate action." His voice is mechanical, rehearsed. "The child's welfare is at risk."Brett appears beside me, his phone pressed to his ear. "My lawyers are already filing injunctions. You can't""Mr. Graham, please step aside." Crawford's voice is strained. "I don't like this any more than you do, but I have to follow orders.""Whose orders? Morrison's?" I can hear Lily stirring in her room, probably wondering why voices are echoing through the penthouse. "This is harassment

Riley's POVVictoria is waiting in our penthouse when we arrive, sitting on our couch like she belongs there. She's perfectly composed in a white designer dress, every blonde hair in place despite the chaos she's helped create."Riley. Brett." She stands gracefully, her smile cold as winter. "Congratulations on your little victory with Morrison.""Little victory?" I set down my purse and face her directly. "Your partner in crime just got arrested on federal charges.""Morrison was always expendable. A useful tool who outlived his purpose." Victoria moves to the windows, gazing out at the city like a queen surveying her domain. "Did you really think removing one pawn would end this game?"Brett emerges from his office carrying a thick manila folder. "Actually, yes. Because we're not just removing pawns anymore."He drops the folder on the coffee table. Bank statements, phone records, photographs of Victoria meeting with Morrison and Judge Morrison spill across the surface."Conspiracy

Riley's POV"Yes." Brett's voice is barely above a whisper. "The documents are real."I stare at the financial papers on my phone screen, trying to make sense of the numbers. Loan agreements, debt consolidations, asset transfers all bearing Brett’s signature from the past six months.“How much?” I ask, my voice tight.“Riley”“How much, Brett?” My patience snaps, and my hands clench around the phone.He sits heavily in his chair, the weight of the truth aging him beyond his thirty-four years. “Four hundred million.”The number hits me like a punch. “Four hundred million dollars in debt?”“Not debt. Leveraged investments. There’s a difference.” His eyes avoid mine.“Explain the difference to someone whose daughter was dying because I couldn’t afford her surgery.” The sharpness in my tone cuts through the room.Brett flinches, but I don’t care. The protective anger I felt when Victoria threatened Lily has nowhere to go except him.“The Graham Foundation required significant startup capi

Riley's POV"How much of tonight was real?" I ask as we watch Victoria being loaded into a federal transport van.Brett dismisses the agents with a nod and turns to face me. "The embezzlement was real. Victoria stole forty-seven million over two years.""And the Swiss accounts?""Real, but not illegal. Standard offshore holdings for tax optimization." He runs a hand through his hair. "Everything else was theater.""Theater." The word tastes bitter. "You made me think you were facing bankruptcy to catch Victoria in a confession.""I made us both bait to end this once and for all.""Without telling me." I start walking toward his car, needing distance from the flashing lights and federal agents. "Again.""Riley" he calls out to me."No." I spin around to face him. "Do you have any idea what the last two hours did to me? Thinking the man I love was a criminal? That you'd taken out life insurance on me like I was some kind of investment?""The insurance policy is real." He said.My heart