Elwin was certain that even if Arnold and I joined forces, we couldn't cause any real damage.
But the stock continued its freefall. Within five minutes, it had crashed—and made the top headline in financial news.
Elwin's eyes went bloodshot with rage. He lunged at me, his hands closing around my throat like a vise.
"Maureen, what the hell did you two do?"
"I was willing to call you my sister—what more do you want from me?"
Arnold threw himself forward to help me, but Elwin kicked him down again. Blood sprayed from Arnold's mouth as he hit the ground.
Yet Arnold laughed through the pain.
"Touch her again, Elwin. I dare you. You're finished."
Elwin's gaze snapped to the stock ticker on his phone—the numbers were hemorrhaging red. He barked at Phineas to activate crisis PR.
That's when the hotel doors burst open.
"The richest man in Capital City is here!"
"Word is he's come to meet his future son-in-law!"
Elwin's eyes lit up with manic hope. In the same motion, he raised his hand to strike my face.
"STOP!"
The roar came from the entrance.
Elwin glanced back at the newcomer—then, without hesitation, slapped me twice across the face.
Only then did he jog over to my father, bowing deeply with a servile smile.
"Dad! You didn't have to come all this way yourself!"
"Don't worry, I've been taking excellent care of your daughter. She hasn't suffered at all! Perhaps you could help me with—"
