Vincent opened his folder.

“We have documentation supporting that statement.”

Graham’s attorney stood immediately.

“I object to this becoming a personal attack on my client.”

Renee looked toward him.

“This is a board review, counsel, not a trial. And whether the confrontation was deliberately arranged is directly relevant to our decision.”

Derek’s voice became stronger.

“My father told me he expected Mr. Bell to defend himself.”

He swallowed.

“That’s what they wanted.”

Graham stared at him.

“Derek, think very carefully about what you’re saying.”

Derek looked at his father.

For years, that sentence had been enough to silence him.

Not today.

“I am.”

Vincent placed several documents on the table.

First came the promotional agreement.

Then the payment authorization.

Then the messages sent to Jonah.

And finally, the statement prepared before the confrontation.

Renee read it.

Her expression darkened.

“Who drafted this?”

One of the mall executives shifted in his chair.

Nobody answered.

Renee held up the document.

“This statement refers to a serious physical altercation that hadn’t occurred at the time it was prepared.”

Graham’s attorney attempted to explain.

“Companies routinely prepare contingency language for promotional events.”

“Contingency language is one thing,” Renee replied. “This statement specifically identifies the Red Door Project as the subject of an operational suspension.”

She turned another page.

“And the payment authorization identifies the purpose of the activation as producing footage for a safety review.”

Miles lowered his head.

The room became silent.

Arthur watched Graham carefully.

The businessman no longer looked confident.

He looked furious.

Renee turned toward Emily, who had been invited to attend with her attorney.

“Ms. Parker, did you preserve these records as part of the incident review?”

“Yes, ma’am. The original documents remain in the company system.”

“Did anyone instruct you to remove or alter them?”

Emily hesitated.

Then answered.

“My supervisor instructed me to stop asking questions about the footage and focus on the suspension.”

“Did you comply?”

“No.”

Renee nodded.

“Thank you.”

Graham leaned toward his attorney and whispered something.

Then he stood.

“This entire process is becoming ridiculous.”

Nobody interrupted.

He continued.

“My company is prepared to invest millions of dollars in this property. Millions. And we’re wasting time because an elderly man in a Santa costume got into a disagreement with my son.”