I went still.
Nine months after our engagement.
The company had nearly collapsed that year.
Ethan had called me crying from his office.
I remembered sitting on the floor with him among unpaid invoices and legal notices.
He had taken my hands.
You are the only person who believes in me.
I had believed I was saving his dream.
I rebuilt the company.
Renegotiated debt.
Restructured ownership.
Created the trust protections my father insisted on.
And all that time, money from Lake Mercer may already have been entering the business.
“Ethan knew,” I whispered.
“Maybe,” Evelyn said.
I looked sharply at her.
“Maybe?”
“Arthur wasn’t certain.”
“My brother sent me a ledger. Ethan signed for it. I never saw it.”
“That is troubling.”
“Troubling?”
Liam touched my shoulder.
I realized my voice had risen.
Evelyn remained calm.
“There is another possibility.”
“What?”
“That Ethan was being watched too.”
I stared at her.
