“An indictment requires a grand jury,” Pendelton scoffed. “Ethan has only been arraigned.”

“The trust bylaws do not require a grand jury,” I said, pointing to the bedside table. “The bylaws state that any formal police report involving physical violence by a trustee triggers an automatic administrative hold.”

The room went entirely silent, save for the hum of the air conditioner.

“I filed the police report yesterday morning, immediately after Detective Sullivan took my statement in the emergency room,” I said. “And I uploaded the certified copy to the Apex Trust compliance portal at 6:00 AM today.”

Pendelton’s hand drifted toward his coat pocket.

“You’re bluffing,” he said, though his voice lacked its previous volume. “The compliance department wouldn’t freeze a high-net-worth account without a judicial order.”

“They would if the account holds federal treasury bonds,” I said. “The federal government has very strict rules about domestic abusers maintaining control over joint federal assets.”

His cell phone began to vibrate in his breast pocket.

He didn’t answer it immediately.

He stared at me, his eyes darting to my bandages, then to the police officers behind him.