Chapter 6 - The Liquidation Hearings
The family court building downtown was a chaotic circus of media vans, aggressive reporters, and flashing camera bulbs. The moment our convoy of black SUVs pulled up to the private rear entrance, a wall of microphones and camera lenses surged forward, trapping the doors.
Security guards from Sterling Private Security formed an impenetrable wedge, shielding us as we walked up the stone steps.
Inside the courtroom, the atmosphere was stark, cold, and heavily guarded.
Judge Sarah Sterling—a distant cousin on my mother's side, though entirely impartial and fiercely respected—sat behind the high mahogany bench. Her expression was like carved granite as she reviewed the voluminous files piled before her.
Isaac’s defense attorney, a sweating man who looked like he was regretting taking on the case of a lifetime, stood nervously at the defense table. Isaac himself was brought in through a secure side door, dressed in an orange county jumpsuit, his wrists shackled, his hair unwashed and matted. He looked ten years older than he had twenty-four hours ago.
“Order in the court,” the bailiff announced sharply.
Judge Sterling adjusted her reading glasses, looking down over the rim at the defense table. “Mr. Vance, I have reviewed the emergency divorce petition filed by counsel for Mrs. Flora Sterling, along with the corroborating evidence of felony domestic battery, asset concealment, and corporate conspiracy.”
Isaac’s attorney stood up, trembling slightly. “Your Honor, we contest the severity of—!”
“Counsel,” Judge Sterling interrupted, her voice cutting through the room like a razor. “Your client was filmed committing aggravated assault with a deadly weapon during a public social gathering, corroborated by fifty independent witness testimonies and high-definition video metadata. Furthermore, the financial audit proves systemic embezzlement and fraudulent transfer of marital assets.”
She slammed her gavel down once. The echoing crack vibrated through the courtroom.
“The prenuptial agreement is hereby declared null and void due to gross felony breach and physical abuse. The petitioner, Flora Sterling, is granted immediate and absolute divorce, sole custody of all previously shared residential properties, and 100% liquidation rights over remaining Vance family assets to cover civil restitution.”
Isaac slumped forward in his chair, burying his face in his shackled hands, letting out a ragged, hopeless sob.
“Furthermore,” Judge Sterling continued without missing a beat, “due to the flight risk and severity of pending federal indictments, the respondent shall be remanded to federal custody without bail.”
Two marshals stepped forward, grabbed Isaac by the shoulders, and hauled him to his feet. As they dragged him past our table, Isaac raised his head, his tear-streaked face twisting in a pathetic mix of rage and despair.
“Flora! You’ll pay for this! You hear me? You’ll pay!” he screamed before the heavy oak doors slammed shut behind him, cutting off his voice entirely.
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I didn’t even flinch. I turned to Julian, who was casually closing his leather briefcase with a smug smile.
“Well,” Julian said smoothly, “that concludes chapter one. Now for chapter two.”
