She looked past me, her eyes narrowing as she saw Derek walk in behind me.

“Derek,” she said, her tone dropping a fraction. “I told your sister to come alone.”

“I don’t take orders from Mitchell Holdings anymore, Mother,” Derek said.

He walked over to the armchair opposite her and sat down without being asked.

I sat in the chair next to him, placing my notebook on my knees.

“You filed a claim with the Department of Energy,” I said directly.

“You know those patents belong to Solar Reach.”

Helen smiled slightly, a cold, practiced movement of her lips.

“The foundational research was conducted while you were receiving a stipend from our family trust,” she said.

“And Derek was a salaried employee of Mitchell Holdings when he assisted you.”

“Legally, your work belongs to us.”

“That’s a lie, Helen,” I said.

“The family trust paid for my personal living expenses, not my lab equipment.”

“Every piece of hardware was bought with university grants and private donations.”

My father shifted in his seat, his hand hovering over his water glass.