Four wealthy boys shattered my daughter’s jaw in six places, then laughed that their families had enough money, political power, and influence to make the entire attack disappear. By the time I reached the hospital, security footage was already gone, witnesses had suddenly seen nothing, and the police seemed terrified to investigate. What those four spoiled sons didn’t know was that the grieving father holding his daughter’s hand had once been known by another name: the Phantom Commander.

For the next two days, I didn't leave Nora's side.

I became the exact father she needed. I learned how to blend her meals into the perfect liquid consistency so she could drink them through a syringe. I applied ice packs to her swollen, bruised face every two hours. I sat beside her and read her favorite mystery novels out loud while she drifted in and out of a medicated sleep.

But while the father sat quietly in the hospital, the Phantom was orchestrating a war in the shadows.

Bishop had activated the rest of the Vanguard intelligence network. Even without drawing weapons, my former team was a devastating force of nature. They were masters of digital warfare, financial tracing, and psychological pressure.

Every four hours, Bishop sent me an encrypted update on my burner phone.

Update 1: Shell companies identified in the Cayman Islands. 14 million traced directly to Caldwell Private Banking.

Update 2: Kensington construction contracts secured using the stolen scholarship funds. Overbilling the university by 300%.

Update 3: Sterling and Holbrook using foundation loopholes to avoid federal taxes on defense contracts.

Nora's journalistic instincts had been entirely correct. The four families weren't just stealing from the scholarship fund; they were using the university's non-profit status as a massive, illegal money-laundering machine. And Eleanor Caldwell was the spider sitting at the center of the web, pulling all the strings.

By Tuesday evening, Dr. Ruiz came in to check Nora's wire bindings.

“The swelling has gone down significantly,” Dr. Ruiz smiled warmly. “You’re healing beautifully, Nora. You're a fighter.”

Nora weakly gave her a thumbs up.

When the doctor left, Nora reached for her whiteboard. She was writing much faster now, her motor skills returning.

Did Bell arrest Vale yet?

I shook my head. “Vale is off the grid. Bell's team is looking, but a man like Vale knows how to hide.”

Nora frowned. And Eleanor?

“Bell is presenting the financial evidence to the district attorney tomorrow morning to secure an arrest warrant.”

Nora looked relieved, sinking back into her pillows. She had started a fire with her investigation, and now it was finally burning the corrupt families down.

Then, my burner phone vibrated in my pocket.