"Someone's gotta take the fall for all that missing money."

Before Lila could beg, Grant dropped his bomb: "There's one way out... Be my mistress for five years, and Daddy walks free."

Lila's stomach turned.

Holy crap.

Had he always been this much of a monster?

Mr. Perfect CEO wanted to have his cake and eat it too - keep his power marriage AND keep her on the side.

"You're disgusting," she spat, shaking with rage.

"Like this surprises you?" His voice dripped smugness. "You've always known exactly who I am."

"Go to hell. I'd rather die than be your side piece."

"Better lawyer up then, sweetheart. That kind of money? Your dad's looking at ten years minimum."

"I'll get the best damn lawyer in the country!"

Grant's laugh was pure poison. "You mean Ethan? Newsflash - he's about to be family. You really think my future brother-in-law's gonna help take me down?"

Her nails dug crescents into her palms.

He had her backed into a corner and knew it.

"Just wait, Lila. You'll come crawling back, begging me to take you."

She hung up, fighting the urge to throw her phone against the wall.

"That rat bastard!" Ivy was shaking.

"We won't let him hurt you like this!"

Then reality hit her.

"But he's right about Mr. Caldwell. Why would he help us fight his own family? There has to be another way..."

Lila took a deep breath.

"I... I've met Mr. Caldwell. Let me try talking to him."

Ivy's eyes narrowed - she didn't miss much.

Between the whiskey on Lila's breath and that obviously expensive men's coat around her shoulders, she could connect the dots. But now wasn't the time for that conversation.

Getting to Ethan proved impossible.

The perfectly-polished receptionist at Caldwell & Associates shut her down with a practiced smile.

"I'm sorry, but we don't allow walk-ins without appointments."

Lila could kick herself for turning down that business card.

"When's his next opening?"