Page 78 of Hard to Break

The host, a distinguished older woman with silver hair coiffed to perfection, takes the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to present this year's Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Legal Ethics to the esteemed Hildebrand Law Firm, represented tonight by their rising star, Kevin Hildebrand.”

A smattering of polite applause fills the room as Kevin strides to the podium, his smile dazzling under the spotlights. My fingers tighten around the folder in my hands.

Kevin's voice, dripping with false humility, booms through the speakers. “Thank you. It is truly an honor to accept this award on behalf of my family’s firm. For three generations, our firm has stood as a beacon of integrity in the legal community.”

I can't help but scoff, earning a few disapproving glances from nearby attendees.

“Ethics isn't just a word we throw around,” Kevin continues, his chest puffed out with pride. “It's the very foundation of our practice. In a world where the line between right and wrong can sometimes blur, we've always strived to be on the right side of that line.”

Caroline leans in close. “Now?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “Now.”

We move in unison, striding purposefully down the center aisle. Heads turn, whispers erupting in our wake. Kevin spots us, his eyes widening slightly before he recovers, seamlessly continuing his speech.

“I'm sorry to interrupt,” I say, my voice ringing out clear and strong. “But there are some ethics we need to discuss.”

A hush falls over the room.

Kevin's smile becomes strained, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. “Brooke and… Caroline. What an unexpected surprise. Perhaps we can chat after the ceremony?”

I shake my head, climbing the steps to the stage. “I'm afraid this can't wait, Kevin.”

The host steps forward, clearly flustered. “I'm sorry, but this is highly irregular?—”

“Please,” I interject. “What we have to say is directly relevant to tonight's award. I promise you'll want to hear this.”

I can see the curiosity warring with propriety on the host's face. After a moment, she nods, stepping back.

Kevin's eyes dart between us, a hint of panic creeping into his expression.

I turn to face the audience, my heart racing. “Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the disruption, but I couldn't stand by and watch this continue. The firm you're honoring tonight is built on a foundation of lies, corruption, and flagrant disregard for the very ethics they claim to uphold.”

A collective gasp ripples through the crowd. I see my mother sitting rigidly in her seat, her face a mask of calm support.

As Caroline sets up the computer, connecting it to the projector, I continue. “We've gathered evidence of numerous ethical violations. Bribes, witness tampering, destruction of evidence—the list goes on. Not to mention Mr. Hildebrand’s history of cheating as far back as law school.”

Kevin lunges for the microphone. “This is slander!”

But his protests are drowned out by murmurs as the first document appears on the screen behind us. It's an email chain, detailing a payoff to a key witness in a high-profile case. Kevin's name is clearly visible in the recipient list. I see shock, disbelief, and growing anger on the faces before me.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” I say, my voice gaining strength. “We have financial records, sworn statements from former employees, even recorded conversations.”

As Caroline cycles through the evidence, I watch Kevin. His face has gone ashen, eyes darting around the room like a cornered animal’s. For a moment, I almost feel sorry for him—almost.

Kevin sputters, and his voice lacks conviction. “This is nothing but a desperate attempt to?—”

“To what?” I interrupt. “To expose the truth?”

A distinguished man in the front row stands. “These allegations are extremely serious.”

Kevin's composure finally cracks. “You don't understand. The pressure, the expectations… Do you have any idea what it's like trying to live up to the family name?”

I feel a surge of triumph, tempered by a strange sadness. “Yeah, I do. We all face pressure. We all have expectations to meet. But we choose how to respond to that pressure. You chose wrong over and over again.”

Kevin slumps against the podium as the room explodes into chaos. Reporters are shouting questions, lawyers are huddled in intense discussions, and the awards host looks as if she might faint. Through it all, Caroline stands beside me.

“You did it,” she murmurs, a hint of awe in her voice.

---