“If this had been five years ago,” I said softly, “I might have cried.”
His smile tightened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I ran my thumb along the edge of the decree.
“Ethan, let me ask you something. Your sister Ashley’s school in California costs over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. Do you know where that money came from?”
He laughed. “That was company money. What does Ashley have to do with you?”
I glanced at my watch. Less than a minute had passed since my call to James.
“In September 2020, when Ashley’s scholarship fell short and your company was nearly out of cash, I transferred eighty thousand dollars from my personal account to cover her first year. From 2021 to 2023, I paid her tuition, rent, living expenses, health coverage, travel, and emergencies. Last year, when she wanted a luxury car, you came to me, and I transferred sixty thousand dollars directly to you.”
His laughter faded.