Chapter 7
The morning sun rose bright and harsh, pouring through the massive windows of Bennett’s penthouse, casting long shadows across the polished hardwood floors. There was no yellow tint to the light; it was cinematic and brutally revealing.
Bennett stood by the window, a cup of black coffee in his hand, watching the city wake up below him. He had already showered and changed into a fresh, tailored vest and trousers, looking every bit the untouchable executive.
The silence of the apartment was broken by the soft patter of bare feet. Josephine walked out of her bedroom, rubbing her eyes sleepily. She was still wearing the cozy leggings from the night before, her holiday sweater slightly rumpled.
"Daddy?" she called out, looking around the massive living room.
"I'm right here, Jo," Bennett said, setting his coffee down and walking over to scoop her into his arms. "Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?"
Josephine nodded against his shoulder. "Are we going back to Grandpa's house today?"
"No," Bennett answered firmly, carrying her into the sleek, modern kitchen. "We are never going back there. You and I are going to have our own Christmas today. Just the two of us."
"With presents?" she asked, her eyes widening hopefully.
"With a lot of presents," Bennett smiled, setting her down on a barstool and grabbing a plate of pancakes he had prepared earlier. "But first, breakfast."
As Josephine eagerly dug into her food, Bennett’s secure phone began to vibrate violently on the granite countertop. He glanced at the caller ID. It was Robert. The patriarch of the Ashford family was calling.
Bennett didn't silence the phone. He simply watched it vibrate, allowing the older man to stew in his panic. The phone rang until it went to voicemail, then immediately began ringing again. This time, it was Clara. Then Helen. Then Silas.
The realization of their absolute financial ruin was clearly hitting them in real-time.
Bennett finally picked up the phone, tapped the screen, and accepted the fifth call from Robert. He didn't put it on speaker, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb Josephine.
"Speak," Bennett said coldly.
"What have you done?!" Robert’s voice exploded through the earpiece, entirely unhinged and shaking with absolute terror. "My accounts are frozen! The bank says my entire portfolio has been liquidated! Clara's cards are declining!"
"I told you," Bennett replied smoothly, his voice a lethal, measured hum. "I told you to wait until tomorrow."
"You did this?!" Robert shrieked, the reality connecting. "You hacked the trust? Bennett, you are committing a felony! I will destroy you!"
"You can't afford a lawyer, Robert," Bennett stated, delivering the final blow. "You can't even afford to pay the electric bill on that estate. You are bankrupt."
"You... you can't do this!" Robert gasped. "We are your family!"
"You lost the right to call yourselves family the moment you laughed at my daughter," Bennett said, his eyes turning to icy steel. "Consider this a mild punishment. Do not call this number again."
Bennett hung up and completely turned off the device, tossing it onto the counter. He turned back to Josephine, his handsome face completely relaxing into a warm, loving smile.
May you like
"Are you finished with those pancakes, Jo?" Bennett asked brightly. "Because I think there might be a massive wooden dollhouse waiting for you in the living room."
Josephine squealed with delight, running toward the living room, completely unaware of the absolute destruction her father had just unleashed.
