“The clinic’s database has unfortunately suffered a catastrophic hardware failure overnight,” the attorney continued, looking back at Ethan. “There is no physical or digital evidence remaining to support Mrs. Bennett’s claims.”

Ethan sat up a little straighter, his bandaged hand resting on the table.

I looked at Samuel.

Samuel didn’t stand up immediately.

He waited for the defense attorney to finish his opening remarks.

When the courtroom fell silent, Samuel slowly rose from his chair.

He held the silver flash drive in his hand.

“Your Honor,” Samuel said, his voice calm and steady. “It is true that the physical servers at the Westbridge Clinic were destroyed last night.”

“However, we have a complete, verified backup of those genetic files.”

“And we also have something else.”

The defense attorney frowned, his eyes darting to Ethan.

Margaret turned her head slightly, her gaze sharp.

“What else do you have, Mr. Greene?” Judge Myers asked, leaning forward.

Samuel walked toward the presentation screen at the side of the courtroom.

He plugged the flash drive into the court’s media player.

“We have a live recording of the destruction of those servers,” Samuel said.