He handed a copy to the bailiff, who passed it to the judge.

“Furthermore,” Julian said, “we have physical evidence.”

He reached into his pocket and produced the small silver key.

“This key belongs to a private safe deposit box registered under a shell corporation at the Carlyle Hotel,” Julian said.

“Inside, we found the original, unexecuted partnership agreements and the dual ledger system.”

I looked over at Bennett.

His face had gone completely pale, the color draining from his cheeks.

He was staring at the table, his fingers twitching against his trousers.

“My client was systematically stripped of her co-ownership through these forged documents,” Julian said.

“If this sale goes through today, those assets will be transferred to an offshore entity beyond this court’s jurisdiction.”

Judge Vance leaned forward, looking through the documents.

The only sound in the room was the ticking of the wall clock and the rain tapping against the glass.

“Mr. Harris,” Judge Vance said.

“What is your client’s explanation for these identical signatures?” the judge asked.

Harris cleared his throat and looked down at his notes.