“It’s why I chose Berkeley,” I continued, “not just to get away from you, but because it has one of the best corporate accountability programs in the country. It’s why I interned at Goldstein and Parker, which specializes in exactly these types of cases. And it’s why I’m going to Yale to study under Professor Harrington, who literally wrote the book on prosecuting financial fraud.”

The realization of how deliberately I’d constructed my education hit my father visibly. His face, normally composed regardless of circumstances, showed genuine alarm.

“You wouldn’t,” he breathed.

“I’m not threatening you,” I clarified. “I’m explaining why I chose my path. I wanted to understand how someone could do what you did. How my own father could justify causing so much harm while presenting himself as the paragon of business ethics. I wanted to make sure I never became like that.”

My mother’s quiet sobs provided a soundtrack to the moment as decades of family mythology crumbled around us. Nearby diners were openly staring now, some whispering to each other, others typing on their phones.

“These are dangerous accusations,” my father said, his businessman’s mask reasserting itself. “Accusations that could be considered defamatory.”

“Truth is an absolute defense against defamation,” I replied, my law education serving me well, “and we both know what I’m saying is true.”

I stood up, placing my napkin beside my barely touched meal.

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