The judge's gavel struck, and the murmurs in the courtroom dimmed. The restaurateur's lawyer rose first, smoothing his expensive suit with a deliberate calm that made Chloe's stomach twist. He adjusted his glasses, then turned to the jury with a carefully constructed smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what we are witnessing," he began, his voice oily, "is not a pursuit of truth, but of personal gain. My client, a respected businessman who has built his reputation for over twenty years, is being ...