They probably had more resources.
You had forty-five thousand dollars in startup capital, Blackwell said. More than most.
Silence.
Let’s move on.
Crypto. Thirty thousand dollars. Lost in six weeks. Your strategy? Blackwell asked.
I followed market trends, she said quickly. Experts online.
Did you verify those experts’ credentials?
They had millions of views.
A pause.
Even the court reporter looked like she was holding back a reaction.
Views are not qualifications, Blackwell said.
Clare shifted in her seat.
Next, he continued, flipping a page. The consulting business. Twenty-five thousand dollars. Office rent, branding, marketing.
Clare straightened slightly. Like this one mattered more.
I was building a foundation—
With no clients? he asked.
It takes time.
You closed in four months.
Silence again.
Then he asked the question everything had been leading toward.
Miss Wear, you claim your sister sabotaged your success. How?
She refused to help me, Clare said immediately.
Did you ask for help?
I talked about my ideas.
That’s not what I asked, Blackwell said. Did you explicitly ask her for help? Yes or no?
Clare hesitated.
No.
So your sister sabotaged you by not offering help you never requested.
That’s not how family works, she snapped. Family should help without being asked.
Blackwell didn’t react.
Did you help your sister with her business?
Silence.
Did you offer assistance?
Nothing.
Did you even ask about her business?
Clare looked down.
Don’t remember.
Because you didn’t, he said.
Her face flushed.
She had advantages, Clare muttered.
Blackwell paused.
Like what?
She’s smarter, Clare said, frustration creeping into her voice. She always did better in school.
I felt something in my chest tighten.
So your claim, Blackwell said slowly, is that your sister had an unfair advantage because she worked harder and performed better academically?
That’s not what I—
She worked three jobs in college, he continued. You did not. She built a business from scratch. You received over one hundred thousand dollars in funding. Which part of that was easier for her?
Clare pushed back from the table slightly.
You’re twisting this.
No, he said calmly. I’m clarifying it.
Then he delivered the final question.
In your lawsuit, you claim your sister’s house should be transferred to you. Why?
Clare didn’t hesitate this time. Because she believed it. Because it should have been mine, she said.
The room went completely still.