“How could this happen? When did it happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Yesterday afternoon, at one forty-five. He passed away,” Hank replied. His voice was flat, almost emotionless. “I’ve only just finished handling everything here.”
Sofia went quiet for a few seconds, maybe trying to steady herself, then her tone changed. There was a note of hope in her voice.
“Hank, Dad’s gone now. Meyer Group is basically leaderless, and there’s no way you can do all of this alone. Dad already said I could come back to help you. Now’s the perfect time. I want to come back and support you, help keep the Meyer family together.”
She had been sure Hank would need all the help he could get after Bailey died. She thought if she offered, he’d have no reason to say no.
But after what happened with Grace, Hank no longer saw Sofia and her mother the same way. Now, hearing her offer, he just felt cold inside. His father had only just passed, and all Sofia could think about was getting back into the family business. She didn’t even ask about their father, almost like she already knew what happened.
Hank’s eyes narrowed for a moment. A wave of suspicion flickered through him.
“That won’t be necessary. I can handle the Meyer family business myself,” he said. “You just got back from abroad. Why don’t you take a few days to rest?”
Sofia hadn’t expected him to turn her down so quickly. Her smile faltered, and a surge of frustration washed over her.
“Hank, I really want to help you. Dad agreed to it while he was alive. How could you treat me like this?”
“How am I treating you?” Hank’s voice was even colder now. “Sofia, Dad just passed away, and you’re already trying to get involved in the family business. Don’t you think that’s a little inappropriate?”
Two men in police uniforms were standing outside, their faces serious, their eyes sharp.
Sofia’s heart jumped into her throat. Something felt very wrong.
She forced herself to look calm, opened the door, and put on a confused face. “Can I help you? Are you looking for someone?”
One of the officers held out a warrant.
“Sofia Meyer, we’re with the city police. You’re suspected of harboring a fugitive, Nathaniel. We need you to come with us to the station for questioning.”

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