Ray’s smile twitched.
“Well,” he said, “rich boy has manners after all.”
Nathan faced him again. “What do you want?”
Ray’s expression changed. The performance fell away, and something colder appeared beneath it.
“Money.”
Emily closed her eyes.
“There it is,” Nathan said.
Ray shrugged. “You married into responsibility. Those children cost money. Keeping stories quiet costs money. I figure a man like you can afford peace.”
“And if I don’t pay?”
Ray looked at Emily.
“Then I go to the newspapers. CEO marries maid with three bastard children. Add a few pictures. Add a few interviews. People love filth when it comes wrapped in money.”
Nathan’s face remained calm.
Emily knew that calm. She had seen it in board meetings when Nathan was about to destroy a rival company without raising his voice.
“How much?” Nathan asked.
Emily whipped her head toward him. “No.”
Ray smiled greedily. “Smart man.”
Nathan lifted a hand slightly, silencing the guard who had stepped forward.
“How much?” he repeated.
“One million dollars.”
Margaret gasped. “Nathan!”
Ray’s eyes glittered. “Cash. Tomorrow. Then I disappear.”
Nathan looked thoughtful.
Then he said, “No.”
Ray’s smile vanished.
Nathan stepped closer. “You came into my house on my wedding night. You threatened my wife. You attempted extortion in front of witnesses and security cameras.”
For the first time, Ray’s eyes flicked upward.
There, in the corner of the grand foyer, a small black camera watched silently.
Nathan continued, “You also confirmed that the children are alive, vulnerable, and under threat. That was helpful.”
Ray’s jaw tightened.
Emily stared at Nathan, realizing he had never intended to pay.
He had wanted Ray to speak.
Nathan turned to one of the guards. “Call the police.”
Ray lunged backward toward the door, but the second guard blocked him.
“You think police scare me?” Ray spat. “You rich people think the law belongs to you?”
Nathan’s eyes hardened.
“No. I think men like you survive because people are too frightened to speak. That ends tonight.”
Ray’s gaze snapped to Emily.
“You little rat,” he hissed. “You think you’re safe now? You think his money saves you? Ask her what happened to the last person who tried to help.”
Emily’s face drained completely.
Nathan noticed.
Ray laughed, cruel and delighted. “She never told you about Mrs. Turner, did she?”
Emily whispered, “Stop.”
Nathan turned to her. “Emily?”
Ray leaned forward, savoring every word.
“Dear Abigail Turner. Sweet church lady. Always sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.”
Emily began to tremble.
Ray’s smile widened.
“She’s dead.”
The foyer went silent.
Emily made no sound at first. Her lips parted, but nothing came out.
Then the world seemed to tilt.
Nathan caught her as she collapsed against him.
Ray watched with satisfaction. “Heart gave out, they said. Funny thing, hearts.”
Nathan looked at him over Emily’s bowed head, and something ancient and dangerous moved behind his eyes.
