He lunged forward and grabbed my jaw in a vice grip, his fingers digging into my skin, forcing my face up to meet his eyes.

“Listen to me very carefully,” he hissed, his breath hot and reeking of liquor. “Tomorrow, you will sign whatever transfer documents I put in front of you.

You will hand over every cent of that money. And if anyone — your boss, your friends, your irritating brother — asks about your face, you will say you lie about everything because you’re having a mental breakdown.

You are unstable.”

Linda called out from the doorway, her pearls clicking. “We’ll support his narrative, naturally. Family closes ranks.”

Frank raised his bourbon glass in a mock salute. “Family sticks together, sweetheart. You’re out of your depth.”