The judge picked up his pen.
Brittany leaned forward.
Jamal’s jaw lifted.
My father exhaled slowly, already tasting victory.
Judge Whitman turned to Evelyn. “Ms. Kensington, I need to ask plainly. Does your client have anything to say before this court considers emergency action?”
Evelyn stood.
She did not hurry.
She smoothed one sleeve of her black blazer and stepped into the center of the courtroom.
“Yes, Your Honor,” she said. “We are ready to begin.”
The air changed.
Caldwell frowned.
Jamal’s smile thinned.
Evelyn looked directly at the witness stand. “The defense requests that Mr. Price be recalled.”
Jamal returned with irritation written across his face. He sat, adjusted his cuffs, and tried to look amused.
Evelyn held up his financial summary.
“Mr. Price, you testified that my client used margin loans to survive financially.”
“Yes.”
“And you prepared these documents?”
“I compiled them.”
“From mail you allegedly found?”
