Standing near the last row was a child no older than seven. She wore a faded yellow sweater, scuffed sneakers, and a worried expression. A worn purple backpack hung from her shoulders.
Daniel frowned.
“Your Honor, this is a courtroom, not a playground. Someone needs to remove that child.”
A bailiff approached her, but Judge Carter raised one hand.
“Wait. Young lady, what is your name?”
“Sophie Reyes.”
“And what proof do you believe you have?”
Sophie swallowed hard. Her eyes moved toward Arthur, who was watching her with confusion.
“Something happened at the hospital where my mom works,” she said. “I heard people talking about Mr. Whitmore. Then I found something they didn't know I had.”
Daniel laughed nervously.
“This is absurd. A child cannot possibly understand a case of this complexity.”
Sophie hugged her backpack tighter.
“Maybe I don't understand everything,” she replied. “But I know what I saw.”
The judge leaned forward.
“Then tell me what you saw.”
Sophie walked slowly toward the front of the courtroom. Her small footsteps echoed across the polished floor.
She stopped beside Arthur's wheelchair.
“I HAVE PROOF!” A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL SHOUTED IN COURT AS A BILLIONAIRE WAS ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL OF HIS OWN LIFE.
