Page 5 — The Deal I Offered: Accountability Or Collapse
For the first time all night, Arthur turned to Liam like a father instead of a dictator.
“Son,” he choked. “Do something. Tell her we’re family.”
Liam stared at him for a long moment—the man who’d controlled him with threats disguised as “guidance.”
Then Liam looked at me.
Not with fear. Not with awe. With clarity.
He stood straighter than I’d ever seen him.
“Dad,” he said calmly, “you always taught me a rule. ‘Money talks, and the poor listen.’”
Arthur nodded eagerly, desperate. “Yes, yes.”
“Well,” Liam continued, “Sophia is talking. And right now, you should listen.”
Arthur flinched as if struck.
