“I walked into my own mansion expecting my wife to run into my arms, but instead I found my family celebrating my money while the woman I loved was missing.

Mrs. Hayes,” he said quietly. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

Emma’s expression shifted.

“You knew?” I asked.

Samuel removed his glasses and cleaned them with a cloth.

“I suspected.”

The answer hit the room like a dropped stone.

I stood slowly. “You suspected my wife was being mistreated in my house and didn’t tell me?”

“I tried,” he said.

“No. I did not receive anything from you.”

“I know.”

The anger I had been holding back since the night before found a new target. “Then explain very carefully.”

Samuel opened his briefcase and removed a folder.

“Two years ago, Mrs. Hayes came to my office without an appointment. She was distressed but composed. She brought irregular household records and asked whether certain authorizations were valid. I reviewed what she had. Some documents appeared to carry your digital approval. Others involved an expanded family management arrangement.”