“You wore that to Mom’s funeral?” my sister said with a sneer, the diamonds on her wrist catching the light as she adjusted the Valdderee heels on her feet. “I mean, I know things are hard for you, but couldn’t you at least have made an effort?” I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. I had designed this “cheap” dress myself. I owned the label on her shoes. I owned the boutique we were standing in. And one hour earlier, I had personally approved the cancellation of her modeling contract. Then my brother’s bank made the news…

They went pale.

They’d forgotten that digital receipts last forever.

“But none of that matters now,” I continued, putting the phone away. “What matters is that you need help, and I’m the only one who can provide it.”

I tilted my head.

“The irony is rather delicious, don’t you think?”

“So help us,” Dad said bluntly. “If you’re so rich, so successful—help your family.”

“Why?”

The simple question seemed to break something in Rachel. She started crying—ugly, genuine sobs that ruined what was left of her makeup.

“Because we’re sorry,” she choked. “Okay? We’re sorry we treated you badly. We’re sorry we didn’t believe in you. Is that what you want to hear?”

“No,” I said gently. “Because you’re not sorry. You’re desperate.”

“There’s a difference.”

My phone rang.

“Elysia,” I said, answering on speaker.

“Yes, Ms. Morgan. I apologize for interrupting. The Times is holding on line one. The Journal wants a follow-up quote, and your 8:00 p.m. conference call with Tokyo is confirmed. Also, the Valdderee board is requesting an emergency meeting about the brand’s new direction.”

“Tell The Times no comment. Give the Journal the prepared statement about maintaining focus on quality over publicity. I’ll take Tokyo from the car, and schedule Valdderee for tomorrow afternoon.”

“Yes, ma’am.” A beat. “Oh—and the forensic accountants found those offshore accounts you asked about. Sending the report now.”

“Excellent. Thank you, Elysia.”

I hung up to find my family staring at me like I’d grown a second head.

“That was real,” Blake said slowly.

He swallowed, as if the truth tasted bitter.

“That was all real.”

Every word.

I checked my watch.

“Now, I have a conference call in twelve minutes that will affect the livelihoods of about three thousand employees in Japan,” I said evenly. “So let’s make this quick.”

I looked at my father first.

“Dad, you’re going to lose the house. There’s no saving it. You’ve leveraged it beyond recovery.”