“We never established the total.”
“Estimate.”
Evelyn hesitated.
“More than two billion dollars over twenty-five years.”
Liam exhaled.
I did not.
Numbers that large did not frighten me.
They clarified things.
Two billion dollars was not hidden casually.
It required bankers.
Attorneys.
Accountants.
Government filings.
Auditors who missed things or pretended to.
“This isn’t about Ethan,” I said.
Evelyn’s face softened.
“No.”
The word should have relieved me.
Instead, it frightened me more.
Because Ethan had become predictable.
His lies had patterns.
His anger had triggers.
I knew the architecture of the prison he built.
But this?
This had begun before I knew him.
“Then why is Ethan connected?”
Evelyn did not answer immediately.
Detective Ruiz spoke.
“Ms. Shaw.”
Evelyn looked at her.
“I don’t know if Mr. Reeves was originally connected.”
“Originally?” I repeated.
“Your father’s records indicate that Apex Development received its first questionable transfer nine months after you became engaged.”
