Education funds, medical grants, land conservation, abuse shelters—quiet money sent where old Maddox money had once caused damage.

When she died, Helena tried to seize control.

I stopped her.

Then I disappeared into ordinary life because ordinary life felt like heaven.

Isabelle knew I had family money.

She never knew the size, she never knew the history, and she never knew my mother left one final instruction: If the Maddox family ever came for my child, burn the whole empire clean.

Vance’s face hardened.