Maxwell felt heat surge through his veins. “What are you doing,” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. “Why is my safe open. Why are you touching my money.”
Tessa jolted upright. The chair screeched against the floor. “Mr. Grayson, please, I swear I did not steal anything. I am not taking anything. I only came because something was wrong.”
“Something is wrong,” Maxwell snapped, advancing. “You are in my private office. That is what is wrong. Who gave you permission to be here.”
“I know it looks terrible,” she said, her voice trembling like glass. “But your mother asked me to check the household accounts. I used to work in finance before I came here. She believed I could help her see things she can no longer see. When I noticed discrepancies, I panicked. I followed the trail and it led here. The safe was already open.”
Maxwell shook his head. The idea was absurd. “My mother would never send you into my office. She respects boundaries. You should have respected them too.”
A new voice answered, quiet yet commanding. “I did send her.”