I didn’t blink, keeping my gaze locked on my sister’s frantic face.

“The documentation in that folder is from an official investigation, Claire,” I said, keeping my voice level.

“It was not compiled by me, and it was not done out of spite.”

“It is a matter of record.”

“It’s a lie!” Claire yelled, turning her attention to the General.

“General Vance, you cannot let her do this.”

“She has abused her new authority the second she stepped onto this post.”

“I demand that you have her arrested right now for defamation and harassment.”

“She is using forged military documents to attack my husband and destroy our family.”

General Vance finally raised his eyes from the folder, staring at Claire with a cold, detached expression.

“Mrs. Carter, sit down,” he said.

“I am not going to ask you a second time.”

Claire hesitated, her chest heaving as she took deep, ragged breaths.

She looked at our father, looking for the usual support he always provided whenever we fought as children.

My father stood up, placing a hand on Claire’s shoulder.