Part 2: My son h.i.t me 30 times in front of his wife… so the next morning, while he sat in his office, I sold the house he thought was his.

I didn't recognize her.

But the name of Ashcroft's legal representative made my stomach tighten.

**MALCOLM WHITMORE.**

I stared at Daniel.

"So he's behind it."

"It appears he's deeply involved."

I looked down at the documents.

"What was the six million supposed to buy?"

Daniel hesitated.

"According to the transaction descriptions, development rights."

"To what?"

He turned another page.

Three addresses appeared.

I recognized every one.

They were the same three additional properties Trevor and Kristen had attempted to transfer out of Cedarline.

Commercial buildings near the planned East Harbor redevelopment.

The land had become valuable after the city announced a new transit station.

I stared at the addresses.

"They were trying to move our properties into Ashcroft."

Daniel nodded.

"And use Cedarline's money to finance the transfer."

I almost laughed.

They hadn't simply wanted to steal my company.

They wanted my company to pay for its own theft.

I closed the folder.