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“Hey, don't go getting down on yourself,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “She's kept you in the dark for as long as both of you have been running this sanctuary, maybe longer it appears. Now, at least you know where the money is going to and why your budgets have been cut.”

True. Nevertheless, it didn't make sense. Maisie had everything. She was the belle of the ball. The daughter who did no wrong. The one who could dance into a room and everyone fawned over her. Money, when Maisie had been younger, wasn't even an issue. With her small appearances on local news channels and library tours she did along with parades and merchandising while sharing their big cats with the masses, she should have had more than enough to live on. So, what happened?

The phone on Scarlett's desk rang, drawing her from her thoughts. She blew out a frustrated breath. The more they learned about her sister, the more she felt like she never knew Maisie. Timothy grabbed his laptop and stepped back, giving her room to answer the phone. “Hearts and Paws, this is Scarlett Leon how can I help you?”

“Miss Leon, this is Mr. Brinks from PP&E. I thought I would let you know the loan has been paid in full.”

She cut her gaze to Timothy. “What loan would that be?”

The man cleared his throat. “The one your sister, Maisie came in and requested. She said both of you were in agreement the sanctuary needed a few upgrades.”

She snorted and stared at Timothy. “Right, the loan. Sorry. We've been busy with those upgrades. I'm glad you could help us out on such short notice.” Each bitter word she spoke only ignited the anger coursing through her.

“Not a problem,” Mr. Brinks said. “Also, if you don't mind letting Mrs. Cruz-Velasquez know that the secondary loan for supplies has been drawn up. She can come in and sign for it when she's ready.”

She arched a brow. “I’m sorry, did you say, ‘she,’ can come in and sign for it? I thought both of us, per our family’s will, had to sign for it?”

Mr. Brinks cleared his throat. “Dear me, she said you might forget, due to your injury.”

Injury? What the fuck?

“Miss Leon?” Mr. Brinks said. “Did I lose you?”

“No, I’m here.” Scarlett sighed. “Right, my injury. I guess my mind is a little foggy today. What was the new agreement?”

"Well, your sister has power of attorney over you and the sanctuary. She has since your parents died." Papers rustled in the background causing dread to seep into her system. "Seems your parents put you under conservatorship as well. Due to your injuries sustained by a lion attack. Anyway, as such, your sister can sign for the loan herself. This was just a courtesy call since I haven't been able to reach Mrs. Cruz-Velasquez."

Scarlett wanted to scream. To rage and kick. Her parents had complete control over her life and now, Maisie did too. All because she tried to help her sister and the lion. She didn’t know if she should cry or throw up. Instead, she bit her tongue. “Right, right. Sorry, thanks again for calling.”

“My pleasure, Miss Leon. I’m glad you’re back to assisting your sister. I am sure she appreciates your help.” The man hung up, leaving her to stare at the receiver in her hand.

“Well, it seems our guesses were correct. Maisie used the auction money to pay off the loan. And, get this, it was for upgrades to the facilities here.” She let out a derisive laugh. “And my sister has a conservatorship over me.”

“What?” Timothy narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean upgrades? What do you mean conservatorship?”

“Yep, it seems that's what she was using the money for. The other, I guess our parents had one on me since the accident, so my oh-so-kind sister carried it over after their deaths.”

Timothy sat opposite from her in a huff. “This is fucked on so many levels I don’t know where to begin.”

“We’ll start with the easy stuff. Dave and his father would never draw up the conservatorship documents on me. So, if what Mr. Brinks said is true, they went to someone else.” She frowned. “There would also be court hearings and mental health or psychical examinations. I’m sure there’s more I’m missing too.”

Timothy played with his bottom lip. He pulled at the plump flesh using his thumb and forefinger, drawing her attention to the sensual bow of his mouth. His obsidian eyes swirled with intent as he listened to her and when he cut his gaze toward her, the pure unadulterated resolve etched into his features had her panties dampening. Damn, why did he have to be so sexy while she was trying to be serious?You should be ashamed of yourself. Lusting after one man while two have warmed your bed, she chided herself. “I doubt Dave would have either. I think both sets of documents are forgeries.”

She snorted. "You don't know my parents well enough. After running headlong into the lion's den, I'm sure they thought about sending me away, too."

"Wouldn't you have known when you were in college?" he hedged. "At some point, the information would have come out."

True. Yet, what stuck in her crawl was how vindictive her family could be, especially where she was concerned. It'd been why she turned out as she did—a bitchy shut-in. "Guess we'll never know. Anyway..."

Timothy adjusted his position in the chair. “So, about the upgrades. No one just decides to upgrade a place like this. Most importantly, not one working in the red part of the year. How did she prove the assets to afford the loan payments on a two million dollar loan?”

"Maybe she used the ledger she's been hiding money in? It only seems appropriate since she's concealing the money from the actual sanctuary.”

Timothy nodded. “Plausible. She would've needed an architect to draw up plans and a construction company? Maybe a bid or two to show different projected costs?"

“She probably had it,” Scarlett said. “If she can forge the books, what’s to stop her from doing the same with the bidding.” She closed the lid on her laptop and stood. “Can’t deny she isn’t good at her job. She's a performer when it comes down to it.”Guess those classes finally paid off.

“We need to get the bank to hand over all of the loans for the sanctuary. We're running blind. Even with what I’ve uncovered on my own, I think there’s more.”