Chapter 176.

Eddie’s POV

"Not much," David admitted with a grimace. "The lawyer keeps spinning things, making mountains out of molehills. It's frustrating, to say the least."

The next few hours were a blur of legal jargon, tense negotiations, and increasingly heated arguments. The lawyer, a slick-looking man with a face that seemed permanently set to 'smug,' wouldn't budge. Every concession we offered, he countered with a new demand. My patience wore thin as sandpaper, and I could see James's knuckles turning white as he gripped the armrests of his chair.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lawyer called for a break. He sauntered out of the room, leaving an oppressive silence in his wake.

"This is getting us nowhere," I muttered, slamming a fist on the table.

"Tell me about it," David grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

James, ever the optimist, tried to inject some positivity. "Hey, at least we're still talking. That means there's a chance we can reach a settlement."

I wasn't so