They went in together. The conversations didn’t stop, but the room changed. People noticed Elena Marlowe’s return. They also noticed the former husband walking beside her — not leading her, not following her.

Beside her.

Samuel Holt met them near the panel chamber. “The neutral appointment has been confirmed.”

Adrian had chosen Judge Callum Reese, a retired federal judge with independent standing and no financial relationship to either organization. Crestwood had expected him to appoint a loyalist so they could cry corruption.

Instead he had chosen the one man known for ruling against the Voss family years earlier.

Lena had questioned it. “He dislikes you.”