possible." Adrian remained standing beside the window. The late afternoon sunlight cut across his face, sharpening the hard lines of his expression. "My investigator

time since meeting Adrian, Amelia glimpsed the lonely reality beneath his controlled exterior. A man abandoned by his family, who had built his own. Her phone rang. Her mother's name appeared on the screen. Amelia excused herself and stepped into the hallway. She answered immediately. "Mother." "Where are you?" "Kingston Tower." Silence. Then Victoria exhaled shakily. "You need to come home." "What happened?" "It's your uncle." Amelia's pulse quickened. "What about him?" "The police are here." The Hart residence had never felt so cold. Police vehicles lined the circular driveway. Two uniformed officers stood near the entrance. Inside, the atmosphere was worse. Victoria sat in the drawing room, clutching untouched tea. Richard Hart paced near the fireplace. The moment Amelia entered, he rushed toward her. "This is absurd." His normally immaculate appearance had deteriorated. His tie hung loose. Sweat dampened his collar. "What happened?" "They think I had something to do with Daniel Price's death." Amelia froze. The room seemed suddenly smaller. A detective approached. "Miss Hart." He introduced himself as Detective Marcus Hale. "We'd like to ask your uncle a few additional questions." Richard's face reddened. "I've already answered everything." "Then answering again shouldn't be difficult." The detective's calm response only aggravated him further. After the officers left the room, Amelia turned slowly toward her uncle. "Did you know Daniel Price?" Richard hesitated. "Professionally." "Why did you meet him three weeks ago?" His expression changed. Barely. But enough. Amelia noticed. "So you did meet him." Richard rubbed his forehead. "Daniel approached me first." "About what?" "Your father." The answer stole her breath. "My father?" Richard nodded reluctantly. "He claimed he had new information regarding the scandal." Amelia sat down. For years, no one had mentioned her father's case. Not willingly. "What information?" "He wouldn't say." "Why not?" "He wanted money." Victoria looked shocked. "You never told me this." "I didn't think it mattered." Amelia studied him carefully. Her uncle had always loved her father. Or at least she had believed so. "What happened next?" "I refused." Richard looked genuinely exhausted. "He called twice afterward. I ignored him." Amelia remembered the photographs. The envelope. "Did you give him money?" "No." "Then what was in the envelope?" Richard looked confused. "What envelope?" Before Amelia could continue, the front door opened. Everyone looked up. Adrian entered. Behind him stood Lucas. Richard stiffened instantly. "What are you doing here?" Adrian ignored him. His attention remained fixed on Amelia. "You left your file." He handed it to her. She accepted it silently. Detective Hale reappeared moments later. His expression changed when he noticed Adrian. "Mr. Kingston." "Detective." "You know each other?" Adrian nodded once. "We've crossed paths." The detective hesitated. "Actually, Mr. Kingston, perhaps you can answer something." Adrian wa