Third Person's POV
Inside the Todds' mansion, Cyrus was practically dragging Melinda up the stairs by the wrist.
His fingers dug in hard, leaving her wrist red.
Melinda stumbled along, tear tracks on her face, muttering, "Dad, Cliff must have been tricked by Vanya. He promised me..."
"Shut up!" Cyrus snarled, his face furious, his pace hurried.
His only thought was how to salvage the situation. If he lost the connection with the Todds, the Chambers was truly done.
Vanya watched them leave, gently tracing the rim of her glass. Her tone was as calm as a weather report. "You handle your business. I'm going downstairs."
Cliff simply nodded, his eyes following her as she turned. A flicker of complexity crossed his gaze, but it quickly returned to its cold, remote state.
As Vanya reached
