“State law allows one-party consent,” I said. “Everything said since I entered this room has been transmitted to secure cloud storage.”
Garrick lunged for the watch. I swept it out of reach and stood. He grabbed my arm.
Sienna screamed, “Don’t touch her!”
Garrick shoved me back against the sideboard. Plates crashed to the floor. Pain flashed through my hip, but I stayed upright.
Then the doorbell rang. Once. Twice.
Garrick released me and straightened his shirt. “Smile,” he ordered. “All of you.”
He walked to the front door with the confidence of a man expecting harmless neighbors. But when he opened it, his smile collapsed.
Standing on the porch was the chair of Ashford Industries with six board members. Beside them stood Police Commissioner Raymond Fletcher, two detectives, and Dr. Chen carrying a medical bag.
Behind them, the company’s security team was already recording.
Part 3: The Restructuring
“Garrick Ashford,” Commissioner Fletcher said, “step away from the doorway.”
Garrick looked from Fletcher to the board. “This is a family misunderstanding.”
Diana Davenport, the board chair, lifted a folder. “No. This is an emergency governance meeting.”