“If the judge agrees, your mother will not be able to pay her lawyers, let alone run a media campaign.”

Margaret’s composure cracked for a fraction of a second.

Her fingers tightened so hard around her purse strap that her knuckles turned white.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Margaret whispered.

“It is already done, Mrs. Lawson,” Samuel said.

“The filing is queued in the system.”

“But I can still withdraw the financial freeze if your son decides to cooperate.”

Samuel looked directly at Ethan, holding his gaze.

“You have a choice to make, Ethan,” Samuel said.

“You can go down with your mother’s ship, or you can save yourself.”

Ethan looked at his mother, his eyes wide with panic.

Then he looked at me, his mouth opening and closing without a sound.

“Claire, please,” Ethan stammered.

“I didn’t want any of this.”

“She made me do it.”

“She told me it was the only way to keep the family together.”

Margaret took a step toward her son, her voice dropping to a harsh rattle.

“Do not say another word, Ethan,” she warned.

“If you betray this family, you will have nothing.”