“You can stop this,” he said. “Withdraw the complaint, transfer the buildings, and I’ll call it an accident.”

“You called me a monster.”

“You should see yourself.”

I looked at Detective Lin, who was recording beside my bed. “Keep talking,” I said.

Julian laughed. “You always were obedient.”

While he bragged, Mr. Vance’s team moved quietly. My father had placed the buildings in a trust before my marriage; Julian had no claim to them and no lawful way to use them as security.