“Thane confirmed the initial charges against Alastair,” he says. “Racketeering, trafficking conspiracy, extortion, and obstruction. Investigators are also reviewing the foundation’s records and charter.”
Maceo folds his hands beside his plate. “Victor?”
“His attorney is negotiating cooperation terms. He still faces conspiracy and fraud charges.”
“And Dorian?” I ask.
“He’s refusing to cooperate.” Luther glances toward the living room before continuing. “They recovered the preserved campaign materials, surveillance photographs, altered interview language, and notes about using the children as pressure points. The files strengthen the case against him even if he keeps refusing.”
I tighten my hand around the cane when Luther mentions the photographs.
Victor and Dorian came into my company pretending they were challenging my leadership. They were studying my home, my health, and my children for any weakness they could turn into leverage.
Luca sits beside me with one hand around his glass.
“All three identified sites were reached,” Luther continues. “The residents were removed, the operators on-site were arrested, and investigators secured records linking more entities to the network.”
“Philomena’s former placement site was one of them,” Maceo adds.
Luca looks down at the table before speaking. “Blossom called me. Two of the rescued Omegas are coming to Ember House today. We’re setting up temporary beds in the main parlor until the expansion wing is ready.”
“The community is stepping up,” Grayson says. “The Solace network is organizing medical care, and Kai’s pack is handling transportation from the out-of-county location. Several families who once appeared on Hearthstone’s donor list have offered food and temporary housing after learning what the placement program actually was.”
The records seized yesterday are already revealing additional names and accounts. Alastair’s arrest has broken open the operation we traced, but it hasn’t finished the investigation.
“The Welfare Board withdrew the complaint this morning,” Maceo says. “Josie authenticated the original recording and confirmed that the filed version was altered under Alastair’s direction.”
Luca’s thumb moves along the side of his glass. “What about the bite removal?”
“I filed for an emergency victim-protection order, and Thane’s office submitted supporting documentation. The court hasn’t ruled yet.”
Luca nods once and reaches for his water.
“The board dismissed Victor’s fitness challenge this morning,” I say. “His arrest and the evidence tying the motion to the merger campaign destroyed any claim that it was filed in good faith. My medical plan remains in effect, but the challenge itself is closed.”
Grayson glances at the cane beside my chair, then returns to his breakfast without turning the update into another medical discussion.
The legal updates run out before the tension from yesterday does. I turn my coffee mug between my palms while Samuel argues with Rosalie in the living room about whether the dragon needs wings.
“I was afraid my body would fail during the meeting,” I say. “I kept thinking about what would happen if I couldn’t finish the questions.”
Luca’s knee presses lightly against mine beneath the table.
Maceo looks down at the wood between his hands. “I nearly dismissed the access discrepancy because I kept looking for a more complicated explanation. I should have trusted what the data showed sooner.”
Grayson reaches automatically for Luca’s juice, pauses, and leaves the pitcher where it is. Luther picks it up and refills Luca’s glass without comment.
“Leaving Josie inside Ember House after we knew what she was doing was the hardest part for me,” Luther says.
Luca keeps his hand around the glass. “There were nights when I looked at Ember House and understood why control can feel safer than uncertainty. I hated that.”
Rosalie appears in the kitchen doorway with her crown tilted over one eyebrow. Samuel and James hover behind her, each holding one side of the security-dragon drawing.
“Is the baby a girl?” she asks.
Luca glances down at his stomach, his fingers still around the glass. “No. He’s a boy.”
I turn toward him. “Our son?”
