Page 64 of Lucas

Collapsing onto my back, I stare unseeing at the office’s generic ceiling tiles.

I’m in even deeper shit than I thought.

Digging my phone from the wreckage of its shattered case, I dial the one man who might shed light on this festering mess.

“Father.” I try to keep my voice neutral, even as my insides quiver.

“Ava,” his gruff baritone crackles across the line.

“I’m going through the documentation from 2022, and I’m noticing some major inconsistencies.”

“And why on God’s green earth would you be doing that?” he asks, impatience and something sharper, something ugly, running beneath the words.

“Because I received a formal request from Valeur to turn over our full financial records seven years back.”

“And naturally, you hop to, like an obedient little wife.” His scoff makes me flinch, my nails biting into my palms. “Need I remind you that you are a Gant first and foremost? Remember where your loyalties lie, girl.”

“I can’t just refuse. I had our lawyers check. It’s well within his rights. You saw the contract yourself.” I suck in a shaky breath, steeling myself. “Where did the money go?”

He makes a disgusted noise as if I’ve offended him with my gall. “I can’t believe my own flesh and blood could be so naïve. Are you this stupid or justplaying at it?”

“I’m not stupid,” I grit out, each word precise and clipped. “I’m asking you plainly. Where. Did. The. Money. Go?”

“Where do you think, Ava? How do you imagine you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth? How do you think you had every little luxury, every whim catered to?”

“I never asked for any of that.” My voice cracks. “I didn’t want things. I just wanted you to love me.”

“Love?” He barks out a harsh laugh. “Grow up. Love is worthless, a delusion. Money is the only thing that matters. It’s the only thing that’s real. Now, quit the hysterics and do as you’re told. Get rid of those files.”

“That’s illegal,” I whisper. “You’re asking me to destroy evidence. To commit a crime.”

“Listen closely, little girl. You will get rid of those records, or I will make it crystal clear to your darling husband you are the one responsible for the missing funds.”

“What? Me?” I rocket to my feet, papers scattering like fallen leaves. “You can’t pin this on me.”

“Can’t I? You’re acting CEO of Gant Corp now. Your name is on every form, every transaction. It’s your ass on the line, sweetheart.”

Icy horror drenches me, a bucket of dread upended over my head. He’d do it, the sick bastard. He’d throw me to the wolves without blinking.

“You’d really feed me to the sharks? Your own daughter?” I’m shouting now, control slipping like sand through my grasping fingers.

“Not if you do as you’re told.” His voice goes flat, emotionless. “Now shut up and do your job. Get rid of the evidence, play the good little wife, and this all goes away. Butif you breathe a word, if you step one toe out of line, I will bury you. Understand?”

“Father, please?—”

Click.

I stare at my phone. My knees give out, and I slump against the desk, boneless.

Fuck. I collapse onto my desk, my head hitting the surface with a dull thud. I can’t believe it. He threw me under the bus without batting an eye.

A sob builds in my chest, an ugly, wretched thing. I swallow it back, clenching my jaw so hard my teeth creak.

I won’t give him the satisfaction of breaking me. I refuse to shatter.

My stomach grumbles again, and I give in, rising to my feet and calling my assistant. “Hey, Bridget, can you bring me something to eat from downstairs?”

“Umm...” She hesitates.