Reginald opened the door to reveal Phillip's father sat behind a grand mahogany desk, he was sorting through paperwork with a pipe in his mouth and a glass of whiskey sitting on the desk next to him.

He regarded Phillip with a smug expression, "that will be all Reginald" he said dismissively. Reginald bowed and shut the door behind them all.

Phillip's father took a puff of his pipe, "decided to finally come to your senses did you?" He asked coolly, Phillip felt W.D's hand on his shoulder, "I know what you did, father" Phillip spat angrily.

Phillip's father raised his eyebrows, he put his fountain down and stood, "what I did was for your own good, I can't have you associating with his kind" he retorted gesturing to W.D.

Phillip shrugged off W.D's grip and walked confidently towards his father, inside he was petrified but he couldn't let his father know that. "My own good? For my own good you sent your son to beat me almost to death? You kidnapped an innocent girl and sent someone French girl to fucking rape me?" His voice shook with anger but he spoke in a low calm voice.

His father picked up his glass of whiskey to his lips and took a leisurely sip, "you know what your problem is boy? You're delusional, your emotions have always clouded your vision, strayed you away from what it is important" He retorted.

Phillip laughed coldly, "I have found what is important. I have love, happiness, a loving home, a job I'm passionate about and friends who care about me. But none of that is important to you, you only care about wealth and public image" Phillip fought back.

His father watched him with beady eyes, he took a puff from his pipe as he considered what Phillip had said. Phillip expected him to threaten him or belittle him but he didn't.

Instead Phillip watched as his father produced a glass from the cabinet behind him, he poured Phillip a glass of whiskey from the crystal decanter, "have a drink" he said extending the glass to Phillip.

Phillip pushed it away, "no thanks" he replied coldly, he stared at the glass filled with expensive whiskey. His body craved after it but Phillip resisted, he wouldn't let Anne down again.

"I said drink" his father roared, "and he said no" P.T stepped forward. His demeanour was calm but Phillip could see the hatred burning in his eyes, he stood next to Phillip protectively.

Phillip's father set down the full glass of whiskey and rose slowly, he walked out from behind his desk so he stood in front of them, only a few feet away. Too close for Phillip's liking.

"And who the hell are you?" He asked, "Phineas Taylor Barnum, the man who's been more of a father to Phillip than you have ever been, Sir" He spat.

Phillip's father smirked arrogantly, "oh yes, the owner of that pathetic circus of yours" he laughed dryly, "you're a sad, sad little man Mr Carlyle" P.T said sympathetically.

Phillip's father finished his whiskey and poured himself another, "if you mean rich and successful beyond your wildest dreams then yes I'm a very sad man. Tell me Barnum what do you have? I have been watching you for a while, I'll admit you've done well for a man of your sorts" he mused.

P.T abandoned his calm demeanour, he glared at the man and took a step forward, his fists clenched but Phillip stopped him.

"Enough!" He said looking at the both of them, they both stopped and turned to Phillip.

"Father we came here for a reason" he announced,

"Oh is that so? If it's for your inheritance then you can forget it. No son of mine is pratting around with some black whore" he laughed.

W.D growled, "that black whore is my sister, I suggest you shut the fuck up and listen" he threatened, "I don't take orders from a nigger" he retaliated.

Constantine cracked his knuckles, "how about a Russian? Sit down before I make you sit down" he ordered.

Phillip's father regarded the two men bitterly but nevertheless he strode casually back around to behind his desk and took his seat once again.

He looked at Phillip expectantly "I want to know what you did with the real Josephine, is she still alive?" Phillip asked.

Phillip's father took another sip of whiskey, "I will never tell you" he replied, Phillip slammed his hands on the desk, "you tell me or god help me" he screamed, he too lost his calm demeanour. His temper simply boiled over. His father had always had that effect on him, usually leading to a beating.

Phillip's father looked calm and emotionless, "or what? What will you do Phillip?" He asked confidently, Phillip opened his mouth but said nothing, "that's what I thought, you're weak" he said smugly.

Phillip took a deep breath "you've always told me everyone has a price, what's yours?", his father smirked. He had exactly what he wanted, "I will you tell you where the girl is if you give up that silly life of yours. You stay here and never return to that place, you will never see that girl again. This will be the last you ever see of your so-called friends" Phillip's father proposed.

Phillip's heart sank. He wanted to rescue Josephine but could he give up his entire life he had built for himself for her? He looked at his friends sadly, could he say goodbye to them forever to ensure for Josephine's safety.

They all looked as shell shocked as he felt, P.T looked devastated. Phillip had grown to be like the son he never had. But Phillip knew what he had to do, P.T grabbed his shoulder, "it's okay Phillip, whatever you decide, everything will alright" he said numbly, he started to get teary eyed so he turned away.

Even Constantine looked emotional as he looked at Phillip, "we'll figure something out" he promised, he was hit hard by Phillip's father proposal as they all were.

Phillip thought of the real Josephine locked up somewhere, scared and alone. He couldn't leave her there, he knew he had no choice but to submit.

Phillip turned to his father, "on one condition" he replied shakily, Phillip's father downed his whiskey, "go on" he urged.

Phillip closed his eyes, unable to stand the confident expression on his father's face, "take us to Josephine and let me say goodbye to Anne. We'll return Josephine to the circus and there I can say goodbye, once I have done so I will return here with you. I'll take any job you want, act however you wish me to, I will do whatever you say with no complaint" he offered painfully.

Phillip's father studied Phillip for a few seconds then outstretched his hand, "fine, you can feel the torture of seeing the look on that girl's face as you break her heart. As you resign to me with nothing you can do, you'll have to be the one how you can never see her again. That's better than my original plan" he boasted an evil smirk on his face.

Phillip accepted his hand, they shook firmly. Phillip's father's grip tightened however, he leaned forward. Phillip could smell the sour whiskey on his breath, "I warn you now, if you try anything then I will kill all of your circus freak's one by one starting with that black nigger sister of his" he promised sending a smug look at W.D.

W.D clenched his fists, his breathing raggedy as he tried to get a grip on his anger, he would not let some rich white man speak so poorly of his sister. He was already taking away the person she cared most about.

W.D felt helpless, he couldn't save Josephine and Phillip at the same time, there was nothing he could do but accept it as Phillip's father took Phillip away from them all. He was a part of their family now, how would they leave without him.

Phillip gulped nervously but nodded.