Inside that envelope was a document that could have ended the argument in less than a minute.
But Richard had made a promise to someone years earlier, and he was not prepared to break it simply because a younger man had lost his temper.
He slipped the envelope into his jacket pocket.
"All right," he said quietly.
Marcus frowned.
"All right, what?"
"If you believe you have been wronged, then we will settle this properly."
"Finally. Some sense."
"Through the proper channels. With the documents, the witnesses, and every relevant record."
Marcus's smile disappeared.
"I don't need a courtroom to tell me what I already know."
"Then you should have no reason to fear one."
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Emily stared at Richard, surprised by the calmness in his voice. Marcus, however, seemed to interpret the statement as another insult.
He moved forward again.
"Don't threaten me."
"I'm not threatening you."
"Then stop acting like you have some secret weapon."
Richard looked at him for a long moment.
"Sometimes, Marcus, the truth is the only weapon a person needs."
Marcus clenched his jaw.
He was about to respond when footsteps sounded in the hallway.
A woman appeared in the doorway.
She was in her late fifties, with shoulder-length brown hair and a burgundy blouse. Her name was Catherine Whitmore, Richard's wife of thirty-six years.
She had returned from a charity committee meeting earlier than expected. When she heard the shouting from the front entrance, she had hurried toward the living room.
"Richard?" she asked.
Then she saw his face.
Her expression changed immediately.
"What happened here?"
Marcus turned toward her.
"Perfect timing. Maybe you can explain to your husband that he can't keep making promises and expecting everyone else to pay the price."
Catherine looked from Marcus to Richard.
"My husband doesn't make promises carelessly."
"Then perhaps you don't know him as well as you think."
The words struck the room like a slap.
Catherine's eyes narrowed.
"I have known Richard for thirty-six years."
"And I have known enough businessmen to recognize a liar."
Richard closed his eyes briefly.
He had hoped to resolve the matter without involving his wife. But now Marcus had crossed a line that could no longer be ignored.
Catherine moved beside her husband.
"Richard, are you all right?"
He nodded.
"I'm fine."
She noticed the tension in his shoulders and the envelope hidden beneath his jacket.
"No," she said gently. "You are not."
For a moment, the anger in Marcus's face seemed to intensify.
"Look, I don't have time for this family performance. I want answers, and I want them now."
Catherine turned toward him.
"Then lower your voice and explain what you believe happened."
Marcus stared at her as if she had spoken another language.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. If you have a legitimate complaint, explain it. But you will not stand in my home and shout at my husband as though he were a criminal."
Marcus let out another laugh.
"Your home? That's interesting."
Richard's face became pale.
Catherine noticed.
"What does that mean?"
Marcus took a step backward and adjusted his jacket.
"It means that perhaps you should ask your husband what he's been doing with the money that was supposed to fund our project."
The room fell silent again.
Catherine turned slowly toward Richard.
"Money?"
Richard looked at her.
Before he could answer, Marcus reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"I have bank statements, emails, and signed agreements. I have everything I need."
He raised the phone as though it were evidence in a trial.
"And when I'm finished, everyone will know exactly what kind of man Richard Whitmore really is."
Emily felt her stomach tighten.
Something was terribly wrong.
She had worked with Richard long enough to know that he would never steal from a business partner. He was meticulous about financial records, and he had personally taught her that every transaction needed a clear explanation.
But Marcus spoke with such certainty that she began to wonder whether she had missed something.
Catherine took a deep breath.
"Richard, please tell me what's happening."
Her husband looked at her for several seconds.
Then he said the words she least expected.
"Marcus is right about one thing. There is money missing from the project."
Catherine's hand moved to her mouth.
Emily stared at him.
Marcus smiled triumphantly.
"There. You see? He finally admits it."
Richard continued before Marcus could say anything else.
"But he is wrong about who took it."
The smile disappeared from Marcus's face.