“She didn’t abandon Lauren,” I said. “I am watching her.”

“You are a neighbor with no legal standing,” Brenner said. “And the mother is currently incapacitated with thousands of dollars in unpaid bills.”

He paused, and I could hear the sound of a car horn in the background of his call.

“I filed a report with the Department of Children and Family Services two hours ago,” he said. “Neglect. Endangerment. Financial abandonment.”

My stomach turned over, cold and heavy.

“You lied,” I said.

“I filled out the forms,” Brenner replied. “I also bought her outstanding medical debt from the secondary collector for pennies on the dollar.”

I could hear the smirk in his voice.

“As her primary creditor and the landlord of her last registered address, I have a claim,” he said. “The hospital social worker already has the temporary protective custody order.”

“You can’t do this,” I said.

“I am doing it,” he said. “The kid is a meal ticket, Evelyn. Her father is a billionaire.”

Ethan turned away from the window, his eyes catching mine.

He must have heard the panic in my voice.