Zachary noticed my daze expression and patted my shoulder. "Don't worry. My mom's playing hardball, but I'm not. We're just teaching your mom and brother a lesson. They won't face legal consequences, just enough to make them think twice before messing with you again."

Hearing this, I finally felt the tension ease from my body.

A while later, the police chief who'd escorted Judith returned. He greeted Zachary with casually familiarity. "Zack, you could've given me a ...