She adjusted her glasses and began to read silently.

The only sound in the room was the steady rain drumming against the windowpane.

I watched the judge’s face, my hands clenching the fabric of my coat.

Beside me, Ruth stood tall, her gaze fixed on Vance.

“What is the meaning of this?” Judge Miller asked, looking up at Vance.

“According to these documents, the board of trustees used legal and financial coercion to force Claire Bennett to surrender her maternal rights.”

“They threatened to seize her family’s land and prosecute her father under a fabricated NDA violation.”

Vance’s face went pale, but he tried to maintain his composure.

“These are unsubstantiated claims from a deceased woman who was not of sound mind,” Vance argued.

“We have a witness who was present during those negotiations,” Daniel said.

He looked at Ruth.

Ruth stepped forward, her voice ringing clear in the small office.

“My name is Ruth Fletcher,” she said, looking directly at the judge.

“I have been the head housekeeper for the Whitmore family for twelve years.”

“I was in the room when Mr. Vance’s predecessor delivered the ultimatum to Claire.”