He locked the mansion doors and cut the cameras, certain his cruelty would remain their dark secret. He had no idea my diamond necklace was recording every word—or who was waiting on the other end of my single speed-dial.

"Get her up," Beatrice snapped, waving her hand dismissively.

Julian grabbed me by my hair, yanking me to my knees. A scream tore from my throat as white-hot pain flared across my scalp. He dragged me across the marble floor toward the massive mahogany table in the center of the grand entryway.

Sitting on the table was a leather-bound folder. The final asset forfeiture documents.

"Sign it," Julian demanded, slamming a gold-plated fountain pen onto the table. "Sign over your personal trust, and I promise I will make your death quick. Resist, and I will let Mother practice her... archaic methods of persuasion."

I looked at the documents. Billions of dollars. The legacy of my ancestors. Everything I had left in the world.

My hand trembled as I reached for the pen. I knew Elias was on his way. I just needed to buy time.

"I can't hold it," I whispered, my fingers slipping off the smooth gold barrel. My hands were slick with my own blood.

"Pathetic to the very end," Julian sneered. He grabbed my hand, forcing my fingers around the pen, and violently dragged my hand across the signature line. The ink mixed with the crimson smear from my palm, creating a grotesque, bloody signature.