My Grandma Saw Me Holding My Baby in Worn-Out Clothes and Froze. “What Happened to the $180,000 I Sent You?” She Asked. I Stared at Her and Whispered, “Grandma… I Never Received a Single Dollar.” Her Face Changed Instantly—Then She Called Her Attorneys and Said, “Bring the Wire Records. No One Leaves This House.”

I sat across from Liam Hayes at the heavy wooden desk in the study, pouring out every detail of the last forty-eight hours. I told him about the box, the journal, my impulsive visit to Julian Cross, and my secret meeting with David.

Liam listened without interrupting, his expression unreadable, though his eyes sharpened when I mentioned the black SUV in the foundation’s parking garage.

"Going to Julian Cross was a mistake, but we can use it," Liam said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the desk. "You rattled his cage, which means he is going to make sloppy mistakes trying to contain the threat. But you cannot go anywhere without me from now on."

"I am not hiding," I stated firmly, meeting his intense gaze. "I spent too long hiding from my Aunt Patricia. I won't do it again."

"I am not asking you to hide," Liam replied, a hint of respect flashing in his eyes. "I am asking you to stay alive long enough to burn Vanguard Engineering to the ground. If they tampered with your husband’s brakes, they won't hesitate to run you off the road."

Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Maya, my assistant at the foundation.

"Claire!" Maya cried out, her voice echoing with panic. "The police are here. Our offices... someone broke in. It's completely destroyed."

I felt the blood drain from my face.

"Are you okay, Maya? Was anyone hurt?" I demanded, jumping to my feet.

"No, I was the first one here. But your office is entirely trashed. They smashed your computer, ripped open the filing cabinets, and tore the safe out of the wall. They were looking for something."

"They were looking for the journal," Liam deduced, standing up and grabbing his coat.

"Tell the police you don't know what was stolen, Maya. Send everyone home with paid leave. Do not let anyone back into that building until I say so," I instructed, hanging up the phone.

I looked at Liam, my hands balled into tight fists.

"Julian sent his thugs to tear apart my foundation," I said, a cold, dangerous fury settling into my bones. "He violated the place where I help people."

"He is looking for the flash drive, and he wanted to destroy the journal," Liam said, walking toward the door. "He missed both. But the police won't do anything about this break-in. We need to go on the offensive. Where is Evan’s old laptop?"