“No.”
Each no sounded smaller than the last.
Evelyn placed both hands on the witness stand rail.
“Then explain why Apex Holdings was created from your office terminal using my client’s stolen information.”
Jamal looked at Caldwell.
Caldwell looked at the table.
That was when Jamal understood the first law of rich people’s lawyers.
They protect whoever still has a future.
He licked his lips. “I invoke my Fifth Amendment right.”
The courtroom erupted.
My mother gasped.
My father half-stood.
Brittany burst into tears.
Judge Whitman slammed the gavel so hard everyone jumped.
“Order.”
Silence fell.
Evelyn stepped back.
“Your Honor,” she said, “we are not finished.”
She returned to the defense table and removed a second folder.
This one was black.
Thick.
Sealed with red tape.
Stamped with federal markings.
The sight of it made Jamal’s face go gray.
Evelyn handed it to the bailiff.
“The defense submits Exhibit B. Certified records provided under seal from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve Board.”
