Chapter 3 - FROZEN ASSETS"Frozen?!" Harrington Sr. half-stood, his face turning a dangerous shade of crimson. "You can't freeze our accounts! We have payroll tomorrow! We have supplier shipments clearing at midnight!"
"Actually, you don't," Marcus replied with chilling politeness. "Your son’s signature was never on the primary guarantee—his credit score was too low after his venture capital losses three years ago. Your daughter-in-law graciously stepped in, under the impression she was protecting a solvent family business. Instead, her personal assets were used to cover $1.2 million in undisclosed liabilities—including Miss Madison's personal shopping sprees and debt settlements."
Madison shrieked, slamming her palms onto the table. "You lying cow! You hacked our accounts! Dad, call the lawyers! Call the police!"
"Go ahead," I said, finally standing up. I smoothed down my skirt, looking down at Madison with absolute pity. "Call them. Tell them you forged my signature on the $28,000 corporate card audit trail last month. Tell them how you thought you were untouchable because your brother was too cowardly to ever hold you accountable."
Daniel finally found his voice, scrambling out of his seat and grabbing my arm. "Claire—wait. Please. We can talk about this at home. Don't do this to my family."
I looked down at his hand gripping my wrist, then slowly raised my eyes to meet his.
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"Zero minutes, zero seconds, Daniel," I whispered. "Our time is up."
I pulled my arm free, turned to my parents, and offered them each a gentle, steady arm. "Mom, Dad. Let's go. We're having dessert somewhere else—somewhere with good lighting and people who know how to use napkins."
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