Lori's hands curled into fists.
"That's a lie," she said, her voice shaking with anger. "They know that's a lie."
Attia crossed the room and took her hands in his.
"I know," he said softly. "But they have powerful allies on the Council. They've been building this case for weeks. They're going to try to destroy us, Lori. They're going to try to tear us apart."
Lori looked into his eyes—those dark, beautiful eyes that had seen so much pain, so much loss.
"Then let them try," she said fiercely. "I'm not going to let them win."
Attia's expression was conflicted.
"I'm worried," he admitted. "My parents have Council members in their pocket. They can fabricate evidence. They can twist the truth. They will m******e your reputation, Lori. They will make you look like a scheming, manipulative
