Ava turned toward him, small chin lifted.
“I have the letter,” she said, and produced it, the paper creased and worn from being unfolded too many times in moments of despair. “And I have time logs showing unpaid overtime for eighteen months.”
The bailiff hesitated, then accepted the documents, passing them to the bench.
Judge Branham read, slowly now, his brow furrowing.
“Sit down, Mr. Latham,” he said quietly.
The shift was subtle but unmistakable.
Encouraged, Ava continued, her voice gaining strength.
“My mom wasn’t fired because she broke rules,” she said. “She was fired because on January 11th, she discovered toxic mold in the refrigeration unit where food for students was stored. She reported it. Mr. Hale told her to clean it with bleach and not ‘cause problems.’”
The reaction was immediate — gasps, murmurs, phones lifting as reporters smelled blood.
Victor Hale’s smile vanished.
