Chapter 326

The folder trembled in Emmeline’s unsteady hands. “You want me to meet Richard and threaten to expose him?” Her voice quivered. “On my own?”

Zavian’s fingers pressed into her shoulders. “My knowledge of your ex-husband tells me he won’t stand against this card we’re about to play. He’ll give up the lawsuit without hesitation, despite his lawyer’s advice to the contrary.”

Emmeline shook her head, fear evident in every movement. “I can’t sit before him alone and blackmail him with a secret he’s kept from everyone. He won’t take this lying down.” Panic crept into her voice, making it shake. “He’ll kill me.”

Zavian bent closer until his warm breath caressed her face. “You have me, little girl. He wouldn’t dare hurt you knowing that.” His voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. “We have to exploit his weakness to our advantage.”

Emmeline searched for moisture in her bone-dry throat. “Do you think we can’t win against him in court without forcing him to concede?”