Several people around the conference table flinched.

The presents scattered.

The little girl began crying.

On the screen, Derek stood laughing.

“COME ON, SANTA! SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!”

Arthur slowly stood.

“Son, you really don’t want to do this.”

The recording continued.

The first punch.

The missed strike.

The warning.

The first throw.

Derek’s second attack.

The foot sweep.

Arthur releasing his grip immediately.

Everything.

Not one second removed.

Not one moment rearranged.

When the recording reached the end, nobody spoke.

Graham’s attorney looked down at his notes.

Renee Archer slowly removed her glasses.

Then she looked at Derek.

“Mr. Sloan, is that an accurate recording of what occurred?”

Derek swallowed.

“Yes.”

His father’s head snapped toward him.

“Derek.”

The young man didn’t look away from Renee.

“Yes, ma’am. That’s what happened.”

“Did Mr. Bell physically threaten you before the initial shove?”

“No.”

“Did he consent to participate in a fight?”

“No.”

Graham stood.

“That’s not—”

“Mr. Sloan,” Renee interrupted. “Please sit down.”

Graham remained standing.

“My son was participating in a planned promotional event.”

Derek turned toward him.

“That old man wasn’t.”

Graham stared at his son.

Derek stood.

His voice shook slightly.

Not from fear of Arthur.

From fear of the man who had controlled most of his life.

“I shoved him,” Derek said.

The room went still.

“I threw the first punch. He told me to leave him alone. I didn’t listen.”

Miles looked toward the door.

Derek continued.

“I attacked him again after he threw me.”

He paused.

Then he looked at Arthur.

“He never hit me. Not once.”

Arthur said nothing.

Derek faced the board.

“I don’t deserve to be called the victim.”

Graham slammed his palm against the table.

“That’s enough!”

Derek turned toward him.

“No.”

The single word seemed to surprise everyone.

Especially Graham.

Derek took a breath.

“You knew who he was.”

Renee looked up.

“What do you mean?”

Derek pointed toward Arthur.

“My father knew Arthur Bell was a former national judo champion before the event.”

A murmur spread through the room.

Graham’s face hardened.

Derek continued.

“He had photographs. Articles. His fighting history.”