“No,” Arthur snapped, “because he locked us out.”
“Then you have not established residency. The owner has revoked permission.”
Chloe crossed her arms.
“We’re family. This is civil.”
Miller watched the videos on my phone. His expression hardened.
“Sir, did you cut power to this residence and throw an object at that window?”
“He provoked me!”
“Being upset does not make vandalism legal,” Miller said. “Here are your choices. Pack your belongings and leave immediately, or I arrest you for property damage and consider trespass charges.”
Silence swallowed the driveway. Arthur looked at me, waiting for me to rescue him from consequences one more time.
“Option A sounds fair,” I said.
His shoulders collapsed.
“Load the truck,” he muttered.
Then he looked at me bitterly.
“You’re dead to us, Carter. You have no family.”
“I haven’t had family in years,” I replied. “Only dependents.”
By evening, relatives flooded my phone with accusations. I did not argue. I posted the evidence: the videos, the cracked window, the absurd residency agreement, the property sale, Chloe’s Porsche, and her luxury hotel posts.
