Understand that I have control of that, and you won't get a cent unless in my opinion you deserve it." He glared savagely at her.
"Of course," she went on calmly, though there was triumph in her voice, "you can force us to leave the ranch.

But I suspect that you won't try to do that, because if you did you would never get the money.

I should go directly over to Las Vegas and petition to have your claim annulled.
Then at the end of the year the money would be mine." He stiffened with impotent rage as he took up his knife and fork again and resumed eating.

He was disagreeably conscious that she held the advantage, for assuredly he had no intention of driving her from the ranch or of leaving it himself until he got his hands on the money.
Besides, he thought he saw back of her unconcern over his probable course of action a secret desire for him to leave or to drive her away, and in the perversity of his heart he decided that both must stay.
Something might occur to reveal the whereabouts of the money, or he could watch her, reasonably certain that one day her woman's curiosity would lead her to its hiding place.

Plainly, in any event, he must bide his time.