She did not have to.
Celeste chuckled. “My son finally taught her a little obedience.”
Adrian leaned back, proud of himself. “She knows better than to challenge me now.”
The room went silent.
His younger brother hid a grin. His sister stared at her plate. Emily’s hand tightened around the serving spoon until her knuckles turned white.
For more than thirty years, I had prosecuted men who dressed cruelty up as discipline. I knew the signs: lowered eyes, rehearsed silence, fear hidden behind careful words.
Anger would not help my daughter.
Control would.
So I smiled gently.
“May I sit beside Emily?”
Adrian shrugged. “Be my guest.”
Emily flinched at his voice.
I sat beside her and took her cold hand under the table. Her pulse was racing. With my other hand, I unlocked my phone and sent one short message:
Come now. Bring the board. Bring Commissioner Raymond Cole.
Then I made one quiet call.
“Dr. Chen, I need you available tonight.”
Adrian laughed. “A doctor? That’s dramatic for someone who simply tripped.”
Emily whispered, “I didn’t trip.”
The room froze.
Celeste lowered her wineglass.
