The Sixth Day Dinner They Tried to Steal My Inheritance. 219o

Daniel arrived at my condo before the police did.

I had just hung up with the dispatcher when I heard the keypad beep. I had changed the code. But Daniel had a key.

He walked in like he owned the place.

"Emily." His voice was calm. Too calm. "We need to talk."

I stood behind the kitchen island. "How did you get in?"

"I have a key." He held it up. "You never asked for it back."

"I'm asking now."

He dropped it on the counter. "Fine. But first, we're going to have a conversation."

I crossed my arms. "I'm listening."

Daniel walked to the window. He stood with his back to me, looking out at the city. "You've been talking to Rachel Torres."

"Yes."

"And you've been investigating my family."

"Yes."

He turned. "Why?"

"Because you're trying to steal from me." I met his gaze. "Because you've been running a shell game with my trust fund. Because you lied about being married before. Because you're a bigamist."

Daniel's expression didn't change. "You have proof?"

"I have enough."

He smiled. It was a cold, empty smile. "You think you're the first woman who's tried to take me down?"

"No. I think I'm the first one who's going to succeed."

Daniel laughed. "You're smart, Emily. I'll give you that. But you're not smarter than me. And you're not smarter than my family."

"I don't need to be smarter." I pulled out my phone. "I just need to be more careful."

I pressed play. Daniel's voice filled the room.

You don't know what you're dealing with.

I know exactly what I'm dealing with. And I've been recording every conversation we've had since the dinner.

Daniel's face went white.

"You've been recording me?"

"Every conversation. Every threat. Every admission." I held up the phone. "And I've already sent copies to my attorney. If anything happens to me, they go to the district attorney."

Daniel stared at me. For the first time, I saw something in his eyes that I hadn't seen before.

Fear.

"You're bluffing."

"Try me."

He took a step toward me. "You think you can destroy my family? You think you can just walk away?"

"I'm not walking away." I stepped toward him. "I'm taking everything. Your reputation. Your freedom. Your family's empire. By the time I'm done, the Hawthorne name will be synonymous with fraud and corruption."

Daniel's hands curled into fists. "You'll regret this."

"No." I smiled. "I won't."

The doorbell rang.

"That's the police," I said. "They're here to arrest you for bigamy."

Daniel's face contorted. He lunged toward me. I stepped back, and the door burst open.