“You are an expensive, lazy leech wrapped around my boy’s throat, and you do nothing all day,” Brenda sneered loudly.

“Let us see how brave you act once Brandon completely cuts off your free ride.”

The line clicked dead before I could speak a single word in defense of my child.

Behind me, an older customer tapped her foot impatiently, clearly annoyed by the delay caused by my declined payment.

“Could you please suspend this transaction for twenty minutes while I step outside to make a quick phone call?” I asked the cashier politely.

“Of course, take your time,” she replied with a sympathetic nod.

I wheeled the shopping cart out into the brisk autumn air of the parking lot, carefully tucking Hazel beneath her fleece blanket.

Leaning against my dented silver crossover, I dialed an encrypted phone number stored deep in my phone contacts.

The phone rang twice before a familiar, measured voice answered.

“Sterling Crest Wealth Management, Russell speaking,” my late father’s personal wealth manager greeted me.

“Russell, it is Paige,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the trembling in my fingers.

“It is finally time, so please unlock everything today.”

A heavy silence lingered on the phone for several seconds before Russell let out a quiet, worried breath.

“Your father set up this dynasty trust so you would never be trapped under anyone’s thumb, Paige,” Russell cautioned softly.