“Mr. Voss withdrew his representation thirty minutes ago, Mr. Prescott,” Agent Harris said.

A cold draft seemed to pass through the corridor.

I shifted my weight, resting one hand on the curve of my stomach.

My son kicked, a small, sharp movement against my palm.

I looked at Callum’s face and saw the exact moment he realized the floor had vanished beneath him.

Diane Vance reached into her pocket and pulled out a reading glasses case.

She did not put the glasses on, but held them like a weapon.

“The board has formally invoked Article Nine, Section Four of the corporate bylaws,” Diane said.

Her voice did not shake.

“Due to the pending criminal investigation and the freezing of the offshore accounts, your position as Chief Executive Officer is terminated.”

“You don’t have the votes,” Callum whispered.

“We do,” Diane said. “Your mother’s proxy was ruled invalid by the trust administrators at nine o’clock this morning.”

Callum took a half-step toward her.

The pale agent immediately moved to block him, his leather portfolio shifting under his arm.

“The legacy trust has been returned to its original structure,” I said quiet.