Page 45 of Pocket Wife

The officer’s eyes narrow. “Those matters are under review.”

“They are documented.”

Kaun’s gaze holds mine. “Documentation is not the issue. Chain of authority is.”

“Chain of authority was manipulated before I arrived.”

“Specialist,” the officer says, “you are not authorized to accuse an extraction license holder of systemic fraud without senior approval.”

“I am authorized to preserve contested historical records and report evidence of ethical violation.”

“You were authorized to evaluate a relocation dispute.”

“The dispute is built on falsified history.”

Corvek leans closer to his camera. “An extraordinary claim from a man now personally entangled with the opposition.”

Lucy moves fully into view.

“I am not the opposition,” she says. “I am a resident whose home your company is trying to buy out from under her.”

Corvek’s smile sharpens. “Miss Hartwell, this conference concerns Specialist Veyr’s professional conduct.”

“No,” Lucy says. “It concerns whether you can scare him away before he proves what you did.”

The standards officer frowns. “This is inappropriate.”

I turn to Lucy.

She is bruised, exhausted, and unwilling to become the hidden weakness Helix expected me to protect in silence. Our eyes meet. She understands the question before I form it.

She gives a small nod.

I face the display again. “I will make a full disclosure for the record.”

“I have formed a personal bond with Lucy Hartwell,” I say. “It began after I had already identified record irregularities, after Maev Orlan provided testimony of coercion, and after sabotage endangered the inquiry. I will submit to supplemental oversight. I will not withdraw.”

The standards officer stares. “Refusal may end your career.”

“So be it.”

Lucy makes a small sound behind me. I don’t turn.

Corvek’s calm cracks. “You would throw away two centuries of standing for a farmer?”

I study him a moment.

“No,” I say. “I would throw away false standing for truth.”

Kaun speaks first. “Specialist Veyr, submit all Westline evidence, the Orlan testimony, and your conflict disclosure within one hour. Pending review, your independent authority is restricted.”

Corvek smiles.

Kaun continues. “However, due to credible risk of evidence destruction and witness intimidation, you are provisionally retained as historical lead under direct oversight. No independent field action. No private evidence custody. Every filing routes through my office.”

Corvek stops smiling.

I incline my head. “Accepted.”