“My family built the wing of the hospital where that clinic sits,” Margaret said.

“Silence,” Judge Myers barked, slamming her gavel down once.

The sound echoed off the high walls like a gunshot.

“You do not run this courtroom, Mrs. Lawson.”

“I am ordering the state prosecutors to file formal charges against you immediately.”

“And due to the severity of the flight risk, given your overseas assets, you will be held without bail.”

The two state troopers stepped forward, their boots clicking on the floor.

“Wait,” Margaret said, her voice finally losing its calm veneer. “This is absurd.”

“You cannot hold me without bail on a white-collar allegation.”

“It is not merely white-collar, Mrs. Lawson,” Judge Myers said.

“It is child kidnapping by proxy.”

The troopers reached the defense table, one of them unclipping a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt.

“Hands behind your back, ma’am,” the trooper said.

Margaret looked at the steel cuffs, her face turning a deep, angry red.

She turned to Ethan, her eyes wild. “Ethan, call the firm.”

“Call them now,” she hissed.