Chapter 2: The Recording in Toby’s Hand
Judge Henderson leaned forward.
“Place the document on my desk.”
Vance stepped between us.
“Your Honor, whatever she brought is irrelevant.”
“You haven’t read it,” I said.
“So how do you know what it contains?”
His smile vanished.
I handed the sealed envelope to the bailiff.
My fingers were steady, but my heart pounded as the judge broke the seal and scanned the first page.
My father suddenly stood.
“This hearing should be postponed.”
“Sit down, Mr.
Sterling,” Judge Henderson ordered.
My mother gripped his sleeve.
“You said she would never find out.”
The words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them.
Everyone turned toward her.
“Find out what?” I asked.
Vance slammed his folder shut.
“My clients will not answer without private counsel.”
Judge Henderson lifted the document.
“This is an emergency financial alert concerning three attempted transfers from Toby’s trust.”
“That’s impossible,” my father snapped.
“No,” I said.
“What’s impossible is Toby authorizing those transfers himself.
He’s fourteen—and the signature belongs to someone else.”
The courtroom doors opened behind me.
Toby stood there, pale and shaking, clutching an old phone against his chest.
“Maya,” he whispered, “I recorded what Dad and Mr.
Vance said about the money.”
Then Vance lunged for the phone.
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What was on Toby’s recording—and why was Vance desperate to hide it?
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