The fallout from the broken engagement was immediate and incredibly messy.

Caroline moved back into my parents' house, locking herself in her childhood bedroom and refusing to eat.

My father, unable to control his rage and desperate to salvage his public image, decided to launch a full-scale asNextlt.

If he could not control me, he was going to try to ruin me.

Two weeks later, I was called into the office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Admiral Vance, a four-star commander who had mentored me for a decade, sat behind his massive oak desk.

He slid a thick envelope across the desk toward me.

"Evelyn, take a seat," the CNO said, his expression completely unreadable.

I sat down, keeping my posture perfect.

"Is there an issue with the Pacific fleet deployment, Sir?" I asked.

"No," the CNO sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"The issue is your father."

I froze, a cold knot forming in my stomach.

"He has been sending letters to the Inspector General, the Secretary of the Navy, and several major news outlets," the CNO explained.

"He claims you have been abusing your power, threatening his business, and coercing a subordinate officer to break off an engagement with your sister."

I closed my eyes, taking a slow, measured breath.

The absolute insanity of my father’s ego knew no bounds.

He actually believed he could destroy an Admiral’s career with petty civilian gossip.

"Sir, I can assure you—" I started, but the CNO held up his hand to stop me.

A sudden, booming laugh erupted from his chest.

"Evelyn, relax," the CNO chuckled, leaning back in his chair.

"Nobody in the Pentagon believes a word of this garbage."

"We read the file. Commander Reed submitted a sworn affidavit last week detailing the exact reasons he ended the engagement."

"He went on record stating that your family’s treatment of a superior officer was borderline treasonous in its disrespect."

I let out a quiet breath of relief. Nathan had protected my flank without me even asking.

"The press laughed at your father," the CNO continued, his smile fading into a serious frown.

"However, during the preliminary background check triggered by his complaint, the DOD investigators found something else."

He tapped the folder on his desk.

"Your father’s civilian contracting firm has been bidding on secondary defense logistics contracts."

"In his attempt to smear you, he accidentally opened his own financial records to federal scrutiny."

"They found massive tax evasion, fraudulent billing, and fake safety certifications."

I stared at the CNO, my mind racing.

My father had thrown a stone at a battleship, and the ricochet was about to take off his head.

"The Department of Justice is moving in this morning, Evelyn," the CNO warned me gently.

"Your father is going to be indicted."