That the Bentley was waiting outside.

That the mansion was ready.

That the fortune remained untouched.

Then Arthur looked directly into my eyes.

“Because when it comes to my fortune…”

He paused.

A hundred faces seemed to lean toward us.

I stopped breathing as I waited for him to finish.

PART 2 — THE FORTUNE THAT DISAPPEARED

“…because when it comes to my fortune,” Arthur continued, his voice echoing through the ballroom, “I have given every last cent of it away.”

A gasp moved through the guests.

For a moment, I couldn’t understand the words.