The room stirred, with few murmurs rising from the back.

Lucy turned toward Ethan with a widened expression of her eyes. Ethan’s expression remained calm, but his gaze sharpened towards them.

Tyrwin continued.

"The agreement is unambiguous. Isaac Hargreeves agreed to transfer the patent to Crypco in exchange for employment and financial compensation. The transfer was complete upon signing. The document bears Mr. Hargreeves’ genuine signature, as Your Honor will see."

He gestured toward the document now in the Court Warden’s hands.

"Additionally," Tyrwin said, lifting another document, "we have submitted a copy of the same agreement, along with supporting documentation, to Mr. Stark and Miss Hargreeves for their review."

The clerk approached Ethan’s table and set down a stack of papers. Ethan reached for them immediately, scanning through the pages.

Lucy leaned in, reading over his shoulder.

Her breath caught when she saw that the signature at the bottom of the page was her father’s.

The handwriting, the way he looped the "H" in Hargreeves, the slight tilt to the "I" in Isaac. It was his.

Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled back, dropping her gaze to the table and wondering if she had been the one wrong all these while.

Had her late father done this without letting her know?

Ethan’s face remained calm as he flipped through the rest of the document, reading quickly. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The terms were exactly as Tyrwin had described. Isaac Hargreeves agreed to transfer all rights, title, and interest in the patent to Crypco, effective immediately upon signing. In exchange, Crypco agreed to provide employment and payment.

Ethan set the document down carefully and returned his attention to Tyrwin, who was still speaking.

"This transfer of ownership, Your Honor, supersedes any claim Miss Hargreeves may have through inheritance. You cannot inherit something that was no longer part of the deceased’s estate."

"The injunction is baseless. Crypco is the legal owner of this patent. We have every right to produce and sell the mecha. And we ask this court to lift the injunction immediately."

He stepped back from the podium and returned to his seat.

Court Warden Halvern looked down at the documents in front of him, then looked up at Ethan.

"Mr. Stark, you may respond."

Ethan rose again and approached the podium.

This very act had surprised Tyrwin as he sat and watched Mr Stark. He was pretty sure that Ethan would only come here to repeat the things his counsel had asked him to memorize, so how was he trying to respond even further?

"Your Honor," he began. "I find it convenient that this document only surfaces now, after Crypco has already unveiled the mecha to the public."

He let that hang in the air.

"For two years, Miss Hargreeves has held this patent without challenge. No one from Crypco has come forward to claim ownership. And yet, the moment Stark Industries files an injunction, suddenly this agreement appears."

Ethan’s gaze shifted briefly to Tyrwin, then back to the Court Warden.

"This raises serious questions, Your Honor. Questions about authenticity, questions about timing. And questions about intent."

He picked up the document that had been handed to him.

"Let us examine the terms of this agreement. It states that the transfer was complete upon signing, but it also states that Crypco agreed to provide employment and payment to Isaac Hargreeves in exchange."

Ethan looked up.

"Isaac Hargreeves never worked for Crypco. He was never employed by them, and as far as we can determine, he was never paid. He died before any of that could happen."

He set the document down.

"So I ask this court, Does an agreement remain valid when one party has completely failed to uphold their end of the bargain? If Crypco owes payment and employment, and neither was provided, does that not void the agreement?"

He paused, then continued.

"But more importantly, Your Honor, if this transfer was legitimate, why isn’t it recorded with the Patent Office?"

The courtroom went quiet and the Court Warden Halvern’s gaze sharpened as he made a note on the paper in front of him.

Ethan pressed on.

"Patent transfers are required by law to be filed and recorded with the Patent Office. It is not optional nor a formality. It is a legal requirement to establish clear, public ownership. And yet, according to the records available to us, no such transfer exists."

He gestured toward Tyrwin’s table.

"Crypco presents a piece of paper. A document that, yes, bears Isaac Hargreeves’ signature. But where is the official record? Where is the proof that this transfer was ever made public and legal?"

"That is all, Your Honor."

He returned to his seat. Lucy glanced at him, with a shaken but hopeful expression. Even Hayley watching from behind was somehow hoping Ethan would just win at the end.

Tyrwin hadn’t expected this question to be asked from a one who wasn’t an advocate but regardless, they were prepared too.

Court Warden Halvern set down his pen and looked toward Crypco’s table.

"Counsel for Crypco, I’d like to address Mr. Stark’s point regarding the Patent Office records. Can you clarify?"

Tyrwin rose up.

"Of course, Your Honor. The assignment agreement was properly filed and recorded with the Patent Office as required by law. The records reflect the transfer of ownership from Isaac Hargreeves to Crypco."

He said it with complete confidence.

The room reacted. Murmurs rose from the benches. Lucy’s face went pale, and Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

Court Warden Halvern made another note, then looked between both tables.

"Very well. I will give counsel for Crypco one final opportunity to address the court before I issue my ruling."

Tyrwin inclined his head. "Thank you, Your Honor."

He stepped forward again.

"Your Honor, The transfer of patent ownership was complete the moment Isaac Hargreeves signed the agreement. That is how assignment agreements work."

"The fact that Crypco owes his estate compensation is a separate matter, one that can be resolved independently of this case."

He gestured toward the documents.

"Furthermore, as I have stated, the Patent Office records confirm this transfer. The assignment agreement was filed and recorded as required. There is no ambiguity here. Crypco is the legal owner of this patent."

He returned to his seat, confident in his position.

Court Warden Halvern leaned back in his chair. He was silent for a long moment, his gaze moving between the two tables.

Then he spoke.

"There is no question that a transfer of patent ownership, if properly executed and recorded, supersedes any claim based on inheritance."

Lucy’s face fell. Ethan remained still.

Halvern continued.

"However."

The room held its breath.

"Mr. Stark has raised a compelling argument regarding the timing and authenticity of this transfer. The fact that this document only surfaced after the injunction was filed is notable."

He tapped his fingers on the desk.

"And most importantly, the question of whether the Patent Office records truly reflect this transfer is a matter that must be verified."

He looked directly at Tyrwin.

"I will not take your word for it, Counsel. I will verify it myself."

Tyrwin’s expression didn’t change from the confident look.

Halvern turned toward the clerk. "I am ordering an official review of the Patent Office records regarding Patent Number P-4782/ME/19 "

He glanced down at the document. "regarding the patent filed by Isaac Hargreeves. I want confirmation of whether a transfer of ownership was recorded, and if so, when."

He set the document down and raised his gavel.

"Given the complexity of the issues involved, and the need for further verification, I am sending this matter to trial. A date will be set within the coming weeks."

"Until then, the injunction stands. Crypco is prohibited from producing or selling the mecha in question."

He brought the gavel down with a sharp crack.

"Court is adjourned."