“She’s been holding Dad’s safe key in secret for days and refusing to talk.”

Uncle Raymond turned toward Serena, his face dark with anger.

“The boy struck his sister inside a house of God, Serena,” Raymond said.

“There’s no excuse for what he just did.”

“Victor promised Julian total control of his assets,” Serena insisted, pointing at Raymond so her diamond bracelet jingled.

“Victor told us both that Julian was managing his estate investments.”

I held the damp handkerchief against my lip and looked at Serena’s gleaming bracelet.