I lean forward, scanning the data. Shell companies. Offshore accounts. Transactions buried under enough bureaucracy to make most investigators give up.
“It leads to an account in the Caymans,” Maddox continues. “Registered under a holding company called Aurelia Trust.”
“And?”
“Aurelia was your maternal grandmother's middle name.” His dark eyes meet mine. “The account is in your mother's name, Kai. Helena Hammond.”
The words land like a punch to the gut.
“Are you sure?” I grip the edge of the desk. “Someone could be using her name. Framing her.”
“I triple-checked.” Maddox's tone is uncharacteristically patient. “The account was opened twelve years ago. The signatures match. The authorization codes trace back to her personal devices.”
Ethan steps closer, his voice careful. “Kai, I'm sorry. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear.”
“No.” I stare at the screen, the numbers blurring. “Someone else in her entourage might have access to her details.”
Logan moves to stand beside me. “What do you want to do?”
“I need to talk to her.” The words feel heavy in my mouth. “Face to face. I need to understand why.”
“You already know why,” Logan says quietly. “The shares. Control. Power.”
“Maybe.” I push back from the table and stand. “But I need to hear her say it.”
I walk to my office and send Emma a voice message, keeping my tone light even though my chest feels like it's caving in.“Hey, honey. Just wanted to say I love you. I might be late tonight. Work stuff. Don't worry, everything's fine.”
I send it before I can second-guess myself. She doesn't need my panic. She needs to know I'm thinking of her. That I'm not disappearing on her.
I text Tank that I'll be late. He'll be extra vigilant.
“Let’s go,” I say, walking back into the conference room.
“I'm driving,” Logan says, already grabbing his keys.
“I don't need?—“
“The hell you don't.” He fixes me with a look. “Your leg's still fucked, and you're walking into enemy territory. You're not doing this alone.”
I want to argue. Want to tell him this is my fight, my family, my mess. The truth is, I'm grateful. Logan's been by my side since we were kids, taking beatings together at boarding school. If anyone's earned the right to walk into this with me, it's him.
“Fine,” I say. “But I do the talking.”
“Wouldn't dream of stepping on your moment.” He grins, but there's no humor in it. “Let's go see mommy dearest.”
The driveto the Hammond estate feels endless. The city gives way to suburbs, then to sprawling countryside where old money hides behind iron gates and manicured hedges. I watch the scenery blur past, mind churning.
“You want to talk about it?” Logan asks.
“Nothing to talk about.” I keep my eyes on the window. “If she betrayed me… that's another story.”
“Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.” His voice is softer than usual. “She's your mom, Kai. That's a different kind of knife.”
I don't respond. He's right, and I hate it.
“She offered Emma money to disappear,” I say finally. “Five hundred thousand dollars. Threatened her career when she refused.”
Logan whistles low. “Let me guess. Sin told her where to shove it.”
