“I can explain the signatures.”

“The accounts are frozen, Gavin,” Vance said.

“The board has just voted.”

“You can’t do this,” Gavin said.

“We can, and we have,” Vance replied.

“You are suspended from your duties as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.”

“Arthur, listen to me—”

“Your access to the building and corporate servers has been revoked,” Vance said.

The call went dead.

Gavin slowly lowered the phone.

He looked at the black screen as if he didn’t recognize the device.

Sloane Pierce stood up from her seat in the gallery.

She walked quickly toward the heavy wooden double doors of the courtroom.

Her heels clicked in a rapid, frantic rhythm.

She didn’t look at Gavin as she left.

“The court is in recess until tomorrow morning at nine,” Judge Beckett said, striking her gavel once.

The sound echoed through the high-ceilinged room.

Sarah turned to me, a small, cautious smile on her face.

“We got the freeze,” she whispered.

“He can’t touch the money.”

“He still has options,” I said quietly.

I looked over at Gavin.

He was packing his papers into his leather briefcase, but his movements were erratic.