Chapter 111

• Howard's corner office gleamed under the midday sun—floor-to-ceiling windows framing the city, his desk a fortress of contracts and coffee. He glanced up from his laptop, startled as the door banged open. Karla stormed in first, face pinched with fury, Anastasia trailing with theatrical sniffles—eyes red-rimmed, arm cradled like a battle wound.
• "Mom? Anna? What—" Howard rose halfway, brow furrowing. Unannounced visits were rare; this reeked of ambush.
• Karla slammed the door, launching without breath. "Your wife—that witch—humiliated us at breakfast! On Anna's birthday! Can you believe it?"