His father had threatened to expose them.
He died soon afterward.
Gideon had survived his childhood infection but lost much of his hearing.
And for years, Vale had continued monitoring him.
Rosalie found a final file.
Her name was inside.
She opened it.
Rosalie Ashford — daughter of Silas Ashford.
Her hands went cold.
The document had been written only months earlier.
Marriage to Gideon Rook may provide access to Rook property.
Rosalie stared.
Her father hadn’t simply
sold her to settle a debt.
He had sold her because Dr.
Vale wanted access to the ranch.
Gideon read the document over her shoulder.
His face became hard.
Rosalie whispered:
“He used me.”
Gideon took her hand.
Not as a husband claiming his wife.
As a man standing beside another wounded person.
She squeezed his fingers.
“We’re going to expose them.”
He nodded.
They gathered everything.
The ledgers.
