I felt sick.
“He told me doctors were worried you might harm yourself.”
“No.”
“I know.”
Victor stared at Samuel.
“You old bastard.”
Judge Monroe’s voice cracked across the courtroom.
“One more outburst and I will have you removed.”
Samuel continued.
“Victor told me discussing ownership would jeopardize your recovery. He said he would handle things temporarily.”
Grace asked, “Did you release the restriction?”
“No.”
Victor’s face went blank.
Grace turned toward the judge.
“Which means the original ownership restriction was never legally released.”
Judge Monroe studied the paper.
“And the significance?”
Grace took a breath.
“Under the trust-linked operating provision, an unauthorized transfer does not convey the interest.”
Gerald’s mouth opened.
Then closed.
Grace looked at me.
“Claire Hale never stopped owning fifty-two percent.”
I stared at her.
The courtroom blurred.
Victor stood.
“No.”
Nobody stopped him this time.
Not immediately.
He looked at Grace.
“No.”
