"Yes, sir." Simone opened her notebook, her handwriting neat and precise. "He's withdrawing from the case."
The kitchen fell silent. Even Sarah's singing stopped, leaving only the quiet sizzle of bacon on the stove. Marcus's mug hit the table with more force than necessary, coffee sloshing over the rim.
"He can't do that," Sarah whispered, turning from the stove. "The trial starts in three weeks. He can't just abandon us now."
Simone flipped through her notes. "He said he received threats. He wouldn't give details, but he mentioned it would be better for everyone if he stepped away." Her voice remained steady, but her hands trembled slightly. "I've already called every law firm in the directory. No one will take the case."
Marcus stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the linoleum floor. "Henderson and Associates won't touch it. Mitchell's group is 'too busy,' supposedly. Bradford and Peters won't return my calls."
Simone closed her notebook. "Everyone's afraid of Bancroft. They won't say it directly, but that's the reason."
Sarah moved to stand behind her husband, placing her hands on his shoulders. The gesture was familiar; she'd been his anchor for twenty-five years of marriage, through every storm they'd weathered together. "What are we going to do?"
Marcus covered her hand with his own. "We'll figure something out. We always do."
"I could do it," Simone said quietly.
Her parents turned to look at her, confusion giving way to understanding as they processed her words.
"No," Marcus said firmly. "Absolutely not."
"Daddy, listen—"
"You're seventeen, Simone. This isn't your school's debate club."
Simone stood, matching her father's intensity. "I know that! But I also know the law. Grandpa taught me everything he knew. I've been studying his cases since I was twelve."
"Baby," Sarah began gently, "this is Richard Bancroft we're talking about. His legal team isn't just lawyers; they're sharks. They destroy people for fun, and they're trying to destroy us right now."