"No wonder she has become increasingly defiant lately. She doesn't even come home half the time. Could it be—"
Richard surged to his feet, slamming his hand onto the desk so violently that the resounding crash jolted both women standing before him.
"Enough! Stop discussing trivial matters right now!" Richard barked, his voice trembling with sheer rage.
"The most critical issue at hand is finding a way to restore Julian's investment! If we don't, our company will be declared bankrupt by tomorrow morning!"
"Then what are we supposed to do, Dad?" Victoria asked, her voice losing its edge as terror began to seep in. Her lavish life as Mrs. Vance was officially hanging by a thread.
"We must go see Julian first thing tomorrow morning," Richard decided, his breathing shallow and ragged. "We
