"Wait."
Victoria's voice stopped them at the door.
Ingram turned. "You need rest, Grandmother."
"I need to secure the line," Victoria said. She pointed to a small, antique-looking lockbox on her bedside table. "The key is in the safe. Code 1945."
Ingram hesitated, then keyed in the code on the wall safe. The heavy door swung open. Inside sat a single, ornate silver key.
"Bring it here."
Ingram brought the key to the bed. Victoria took it and opened the box. Inside lay a simple, heavy signet ring. It was ancient, a deep, burnished gold, carved with the Holmes crest.
Ingram stiffened. "Grandmother, that is the Head of Household's Ring."
"It's the key to the family trust's primary vault," Victoria corrected him. "Put it on her."
Elmira's heart skipped a beat. She knew about this ring. It wasn't just jewelry. It was a legal instrument. Possession of it granted certain non-transferable proxy rights. The key to the vault where the black ledgers were.
"It's too much," Elmira said, feigning modesty.
"Put it on her, Ingram," Victoria commanded. "Unless you plan on defying my direct order?"
Ingram took the ring. He took Elmira's left hand. He slid the cold metal over her knuckle. It was a perfect fit.
"Now," Victoria said, her eyes gleaming. "This changes things. The NDA is void. You will draw up a new contract, Ingram. A prenuptial agreement. She will live at the manor. Under your protection. As the mother of the next Holmes heir."
Elmira looked at Ingram. He looked at her.
Do it, his eyes said. For the shares.
Elmira looked back at Victoria. "Thank you, Mrs. Holmes." There was no kiss. No performance.
Ingram's expression was unreadable. He had been outmaneuvered.
Victoria cackled softly.
"She's a keeper, this one," she said.
Ingram grabbed Elmira's hand-the one with the ring. He pulled her toward the door.
"Rest, Grandmother."
They walked to the elevator in silence. The air between them was thick, charged with static.
As the elevator doors closed, Elmira flexed her fingers, feeling the weight of the ring.
"A good day's work," she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Ingram looked straight ahead at the metal doors. He adjusted his tie.
"Silas is drawing up the contract now," he said roughly. "Don't think this means you've won."
But he reached out and took her hand again. He ran his thumb over the gold crest on her finger. He didn't let go.
