Victoria narrowed her eyes, her hand freezing on her ring.

“Because your father had a soft spot for charity cases,” Victoria said.

“No,” I said.

“It gave me voting control over all the real estate in the corporate trust.

Without my fifteen percent, no bank in Virginia can touch Sterling property.”

Victoria’s face hardened, the honey gone from her voice in an instant.

“Your father gave you those paper shares so you’d feel like part of a real family,” Victoria said, her words razor sharp.

“Don’t stand in my kitchen and pretend you understand corporate law.”