Before Elaine could even catch her breath, Morgan’s palm slammed against her cheek. Elaine’s body was a wreck; she lacked the strength to fight back, curling into a fetal position to shield her head.

Finally, Marcellus yanked Morgan off her. "Enough! Speak properly!"

"How am I supposed to be proper?" Morgan shrieked. "She stole the family signet ring you gave me! She stamped those company documents and vaporized millions from the Spencer accounts overnight! Now, all the board members are breathing down my neck. She’s going to be the death of me!"

Elaine understood everything. Morgan had messed up, and now she was looking for a fall girl.

A pathetic, transparent frame-up.

Elaine lifted her chin, locking eyes with Morgan. "Where’s your proof?"

"Someone saw you take the ring, obviously." Morgan sneered, snapping her fingers toward the door. A small, familiar shadow drifted into the room.

Elaine’s pupils contracted.

Max.

"Max, tell Mommy," Morgan purred, bending down to wrap her arms around the boy. "Did she sneak into Mommy’s room?"

Elaine’s face drained of color. "Max, tell the truth. It’s okay. Mommy… I’m right here."

Max bit his lip, his face a mask of internal conflict.

Morgan’s expression hardened. "Are you not a good boy anymore? Are you not going to acknowledge me as your mother?" She pulled away, voice icy. "Fine. Go off with this bitch, then!"

Max panicked, his voice high and trembling. "No! I saw it! It was her! She’s trying to hurt Mommy!"

Morgan smoothed her hair, looking up at Marcellus. "See? I told you. Children don’t lie. Marcellus, surely you aren’t going to shield your wife?"

Marcellus stood cold and unmoving, his jaw tight.

Elaine tore her gaze away from Max, her heart feeling as if it were being shredded. In that moment, she realized the truth: that boy was no longer her son.

"You said I stole the ring," she whispered, her voice rasping. "When, exactly?"

Morgan hesitated for a fraction of a second before blurting out, "Three days ago! Yes, three days ago!"

Elaine laughed. She turned to Marcellus.

"Three days ago, I was in bed with you. You didn’t leave my side the entire night. Still think it was me?"

Marcellus met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Hunter, take her to the Memorial Chapel."

Elaine froze. She realized it instantly.

Marcellus wasn't an idiot. He knew Morgan was lying. He just didn't care. He was willing to watch the truth burn as long as Morgan stayed in his shadow, and he needed a scapegoat to keep his hands clean.

Just like he’d done to Max.

A hysterical laugh bubbled up in Elaine’s throat, turning into a jagged, broken sound. "Marcellus, your devotion is truly touching."

Too bad it wasn't for her.

Marcellus frowned, stepping closer and lowering his voice. "Morgan is delicate. She can’t handle the family discipline. Just... do this for her. I’ve already told them to go easy on you."

"You said that about the mental asylum, too," Elaine shot back, her smile mocking. "I nearly died there."

Marcellus stiffened. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Elaine didn't answer. She just laughed, a hollow, wretched sound, as Hunter dragged her out of the room.

Marcellus hesitated, half-tempted to follow, but Morgan lunged forward, winding her arms around his waist. "Marcellus, she’ll be fine. I’m just so scared... please, stay with me?"

He felt the soft weight of her body against his back, and his resolve crumbled.

"I told you this was the last time I’d ever ask for a favor!" Morgan sobbed. "Can you not even comfort me?"

Marcellus stood rigid for a long moment before letting out a weary sigh. He turned, pulling her into his arms.