The judge listened intently, his expression unreadable, but the atmosphere in the room had shifted. He raised his hand, signaling for the recording to stop. Zaden complied, looking up at the judge with a mixture of fear and hope.

“Thank you, Zaden,” the judge said, his tone softening. “That was very brave of you.”

The judge turned his attention back to Damian. “Mr. Carter, it seems there’s more to this request than you initially presented. Zaden’s recording suggests coercion rather than a genuine desire to change living arrangements.”