I had been hiding power.
Judge Whitman turned another page. His jaw tightened.
“These records also indicate Apex Holdings Group is under federal investigation for unauthorized transfers connected to several high-net-worth portfolios managed by Northern Lake Capital.”
Caldwell whispered, “Oh my God.”
Evelyn stepped forward. “Your Honor, Mr. Price did not merely forge documents to steal a condo. He used my client’s identity as a cover for an embezzlement operation. Apex Holdings was his shadow account.”
Jamal shook his head. “No.”
“Fourteen months,” Evelyn said. “Small transfers. Fractional percentages. Hidden across client portfolios. Routed into Apex Holdings. Registered under Cassidy Vale’s name so if regulators found it, she would take the fall.”
My mother let out a low, animal sound.
For once, it was real.
“You were going to frame me,” I said quietly.
Jamal would not look at me.
That was answer enough.
Judge Whitman’s face flushed with rage. “Mr. Price, you attempted to use my courtroom to place your scapegoat under a conservatorship before federal investigators reached her.”
