“And ever since I realized you were all helping him hide it,” I said.

The silence returned, heavier this time.

Daniel looked down at his hands, his shoulders sinking.

Just then, the screen of Daniel’s phone on the coffee table lit up.

It vibrated against the wood, a sharp, buzzing sound that made everyone jump.

The caller ID showed his lead corporate attorney’s name.

Daniel reached out.

His fingers trembled as he picked up the phone.

He pressed the screen and put the receiver to his ear.

“Jerry,” Daniel said, his voice cracking.

I watched his face drain of what little color remained.

“What do you mean, it’s already in effect?” Daniel asked.

He listened for a moment, his eyes darting to me, then to his father.

“There has to be a mistake,” Daniel said. “She doesn’t have the authority to do that.”

A pause stretched in the room.

“She does,” Jerry’s voice was loud enough for me to hear through the receiver.

Daniel slowly lowered the phone without hanging up.

The screen went black against his palm.