Daniel was violently spun around, read his rights, and placed under arrest for evidence tampering, attempted grand theft, obstruction of justice, and felony conspiracy.

Vivian, shrieking like a banshee, was handcuffed a moment later, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and reckless endangerment. As the officers marched them toward the elevator, Vivian dug her heels into the linoleum, twisting her body back to spit venom at me.

“You ungrateful, treacherous snake!” she howled, spittle flying from her lips.

“We took you in! We gave you a real family when you had no one!”

I raised my uninjured arm and pointed a trembling finger at the bandages swathing my upper body.

“You gave me third-degree scars,” I replied, my voice echoing down the silent corridor. “And the family empire was entirely mine long before you ever unpacked your cheap luggage in my guest room.”