Russell opened his briefcase. Inside were folders thicker than encyclopedias.
“Gareth Rhodes was not only a mechanic. He was a silent investor in several major patent developments and two tech companies. His partner attempted to hide the truth and usurp control after his death. But we won.”
He handed me a document. My hands trembled.
“The estate has been valued at one point two eight billion dollars.”
It felt like the floor tilted. I grabbed the side of the cot to stay upright.
Russell was not finished. “One more thing. The Armitage estate in Lake Forest. Their mansion. According to the records, your father owned that property. The Armitages were tenants. Their lease expired months ago. They are occupying it illegally.”
The irony tasted like something divine. Vivienne Armitage had called me worthless while living under my roof.
“And something else,” Russell said softly. “Vivienne Armitage has been embezzling funds from the Armitage Foundation for more than a decade. Your father discovered irregularities before his death. I have the proof.”
Cold fire cracked through my veins.
I whispered, “I want my daughter back.”
“Then you will have her,” Russell promised.