I hired Mara because everyone in the city called her a thief—and because I needed my family to believe I was desperate enough to trust anyone.

The high-security mansion, which had once felt like a fortress protecting my son, now felt like a gilded cage. The reinforced steel doors and bulletproof glass were designed to keep intruders out, but they were also highly effective at keeping us in.

"Victoria," I said, turning to my sister-in-law. "Call them off. Tell them we're negotiating."

"I can't!" Victoria wept, her phone shaking in her hand. "They don't take orders from me! They only care about the money. If they don't get the trust transfer authorization by sunrise, they're coming in."

"The trust transfer requires my signature as Leo's legal guardian," I said. "They can't touch a dime without me."

"Which is why they don't need you alive, Julian," Mara said quietly. "If both you and Leo die, Beatrice becomes the sole executor of the estate immediately. She can sign the transfer within hours."

I looked at Beatrice. "You planned to kill me too?"

My mother didn't look up. She only clutched her silk gown tighter around her shoulders, shivering in the warm room. Her silence was the only answer I needed.

"Nora!" I called out.

The door to the adjacent room opened, and Nora, the loyal head housekeeper who had been with my father for twenty years, stepped in. Her face was pale, but she carried a heavy iron fire poker in her hand.

"Nora, take Leo down to the wine cellar through the service elevator," I ordered. "Lock the door from the inside. Do not open it for anyone but me or Mara."

"Yes, Mr. Miller," Nora said, immediately moving to lift Leo from his bed, wrapping him tightly in his blankets.