Chapter 8: The Final Evidence

Daniel didn’t speak for several minutes.

Andre sat against the wall.

“I deserve that.””

Daniel looked at him.

“You destroyed my life.””

“Yes.””

“You watched me struggle.””

“Yes.””

“And now you want forgiveness?””

Andre shook his head.

“No.””

The answer surprised Daniel.

“I want you to win.””

The next morning, Daniel, Claire, and Andre met with an attorney.

Her name was Rebecca Sloan.

She studied the evidence quietly.

Then she looked up.

“This is bigger than a catering dispute.””

Daniel nodded.

“How big?””

Rebecca closed the folder.

“Big enough that Preston could lose everything.””

Claire looked worried.

“He’ll fight.””

“He already is.””

Rebecca showed them a message.

Preston had filed a lawsuit.

Defamation.

Business interference.

Emotional damages.

Daniel almost smiled.

“He’s suing me?””

Rebecca nodded.

“He wants you scared.””

Claire looked at the documents.

“He always wins because people settle.””

Daniel looked at the evidence.

Not this time.

The hearing began two weeks later.

The courtroom was packed.

News cameras waited outside.

Preston walked in wearing a perfect suit.

Confident.

Smiling.

He leaned toward Daniel.

“You should have apologized.””

Daniel looked at him.

“You should have taught your son better.””

For once, Preston had no answer.

The first witness was Claire.

She described the party.

The video played.

The room watched Carter throw the food.

Watched Preston laugh.

Then watched Claire pick up the hat.

The judge looked serious.

Then came Andre.

Preston’s attorney attacked immediately.

“You admit you falsified documents?””

“Yes.””

“You admit you betrayed your partner?””

“Yes.””

“Why should anyone trust you?””

Andre looked toward Daniel.

“Because I’m finally telling the truth.””

Then Rebecca introduced the flash drive.

Financial records.

Hidden accounts.

Payments.

Names.

The courtroom changed.

Preston stopped smiling.

His attorney whispered something.

Preston shook his head.

“No.””

But Rebecca wasn’t finished.

She called her final witness.

A man walked through the courtroom doors.

Daniel recognized him.

A former Whitmore employee.

Someone who had disappeared years earlier.

Preston stood.

“You can’t do this.””

The man looked at him.

“I can.””

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Then he said:

“I kept copies.””