Margaret began to cry, quiet, muffled sobs into a lace handkerchief.

Their family’s financial reputation, built over generations, had just been dismantled in less than twenty minutes.

Miller leaned over and whispered urgently into Daniel’s ear.

Daniel’s shoulders slumped.

He looked smaller now, stripped of the bravado he had carried into the room.

“We need a recess,” Miller said to the court reporter.

“We will grant a fifteen-minute recess,” Arthur said.

Arthur turned to me and gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

My hands were folded in my lap, perfectly still.

I felt a strange, cold calm washing over me.

The Carters and their attorney huddled in the corner of the room, their voices hushed and frantic.

Richard was gesturing wildly, his finger pointing at Daniel’s chest.

Daniel kept his head down, nodding slowly.

Miller walked back to our side of the table.

He did not look at Arthur. He looked at me.

“My clients would like to discuss a settlement,” Miller said. “Immediately.”

“We are listening,” Arthur said.

“We want to avoid any further legal escalations,” Miller said. “Particularly regarding the federal audit.”