“Including you.”

“If this goes to court, your name will be dragged through the mud.”

“The hospital board won’t care if you’re the victim.”

“They’ll only see a scandal.”

I took a step toward the table.

My eyes stayed locked on the green folder.

“I want the folder,” I said.

“We can’t do that,” Michael said, moving to block my path.

“We’re going to burn it.”

“The digital records are already being disputed.”

“We’ve hired a lawyer who specializes in these kinds of… discrepancies.”

“Discrepancies,” I repeated.

“It is forgery.”

“If we destroy the physical copies, and Jason withdraws his enrollment, the bank will drop the inquiry,” Daniel said.

“They won’t pursue it if the money is returned.”

“And where are you getting eighty thousand dollars to return to them?” I asked.

Daniel looked at Michael.

Michael didn’t look back.

He kept his eyes on me.

“I took out a second mortgage on this house,” Michael said.

“The funds will clear tomorrow morning.”

“We pay off the loan, the bank closes the file, and we all move on.”

“And what about my assault charges against Patricia?” I asked.