Phoebe shrank behind my coat, hiding her face. That small movement finished whatever was left of him.

“Russell,” I said quietly, “a family can’t exist when a child is terrified of her own father.”

He struck his chest in despair. “I was a fool. Punish me however you want, but don’t take my daughter.”

“You took our peace, our safety, and our respect,” I told him. “You destroyed everything else yourself.” I turned, holding Phoebe close. “Ronald, handle the rest.”

He nodded. “By morning, Vaughn Enterprises won’t have a single active credit line.”

Chapter 11 — What Justice Clears Away

That was exactly what happened. Within two weeks the Lake Forest estate went under court seizure. Russell’s cars, watches, art, and stock were liquidated to satisfy his debts and the legal claims stacking up against him, pushing him out of business and out of the society he’d lived for.