The conference room stayed silent except for the steady hum of the ceiling vent.

Vance read the state validation stamp, the serial number verification, and the payout schedule on the second page.

“This was formally registered with the state lottery commission on Monday morning,” Rachel said.

“The winning claim has been placed in an independent legal trust controlled only by Claire.”

Mark slowly turned his head to look at his attorney’s face, then back down at the paper on the table.

“Seventy-three million,” Mark said, his voice barely audible across the table.