REED'S POV

I had enough of the bullshit he was saying and it was time for everything to end.

I stride forward, the crowd parting instinctively.

My father's expression flickers—just for a second, surprise broke through his controlled facade—before settling back into an expression of stern disapproval.

"This is neither the time nor the—"

"This is exactly the time." I reach the front and pull out Mara's statement, holding it high enough for everyone to see. The envelope trembled ...