She felt the familiar surge of righteousness coursing through her veins, but something else too - a new kind of power that had nothing to do with legal arguments and everything to do with how Daniel’s particular placement behind her felt like backup power kicking in. Without looking, she gestured for him to summon the statistical analysis they’d prepared.

He adhered instantly, the papers appearing in her hand as if by magic. “If Your Honor would review the pattern analysis-” she began, but Roma’s breath cut through again, this time carrying an undertone she’d never heard before - something almost like regret.

“Ms. Valenca,” he said, his usual smugness entirely absent, replaced by something that looked almost like hope. “The government recognizes the validity of these concerns. That’s precisely why we’re proposing a comprehensive settlement framework that would address systemic issues while providing substantial-” He broke off, as if the rehearsed words tasted bitter.