Chapter 6 - The Gavel Falls
Judge Harrison didn't hesitate. She wrote with furious, deliberate strokes of her fountain pen before looking down at the defense table.
""First,"" Judge Harrison announced, ""the motion for emergency custody modification filed by Mr. Vance is denied with prejudice. It is completely frivolous and brought in bad faith.""
Nathan winced as if struck.
""Second,"" she continued, her voice ringing through the chamber, ""the court finds Mr. Nathan Vance in willful contempt of Paragraph fourteen of the temporary order. For this violation, he is fined five thousand dollars, payable immediately to the clerk of the court.""
Brooke covered her mouth with her manicured hand.
""Third,"" the judge stated, ""effective immediately, Mr. Vance's parenting time is suspended. He will have no contact with the minor child, Lila Vance, for a period of thirty days. Following that period, any visitation will be strictly supervised at an approved court facility at Mr. Vance's sole expense. Ms. Brooke Miller is permanently barred from coming within five hundred feet of Lila Vance, her school, her dance academy, or any extracurricular venue until further order of this court.""
""Your Honor, please!"" Nathan blurted out, rising halfway from his seat. ""Supervised? I am a partner at Sterling & Sterling! I have an immaculate professional reputation! You cannot treat me like a criminal!""
""You treated this court like a playground for your personal vendettas, Mr. Vance,"" Judge Harrison thundered, pointing her gavel directly at his face. ""You are lucky I am not having you taken into custody today for attempted fraud. Regarding the financial disclosures: I am ordering an immediate freeze on all assets held under B&N Global Advisory LLC. The court appoints a special master to audit every bank account, partnership draw, and trust fund associated with Mr. Vance and Ms. Miller over the past three years. Mr. Vance will bear all costs of this audit.""
Judge Harrison turned her gaze to Marcus. ""Mr. Hayes, you will submit an application for attorney’s fees. Mr. Vance will pay one hundred percent of Mrs. Vance’s legal expenses incurred for today’s hearing within ten business days.""
""Thank you, Your Honor,"" Marcus replied calmly.
""And one more thing,"" Judge Harrison added, looking down at the Zurich Ballet Intensive documents. ""Regarding Lila's summer intensive. Mrs. Vance has demonstrated complete commitment to her daughter's emotional and artistic development. Sole legal and physical custody is temporarily awarded to Mrs. Vivian Vance. She alone will decide whether Lila attends this intensive, and Mr. Vance will be assessed the full cost of the tuition as an extraordinary educational expense under the final support calculation. We are adjourned.""
Bang.
The gavel struck the sound block like a thunderclap.
Judge Harrison stood and swept out of the courtroom through the side door. The bailiff stepped forward, standing near Nathan to ensure order.
Nathan turned around slowly. His face was mottled with red splotches, his tie askew. The calm, untouchable corporate lawyer had completely disintegrated.
Brooke grabbed his arm, her voice frantic and shrill. ""Nathan, what does she mean by freezing the LLC? My name is on those accounts! My father’s foundation funds run through that bank! If my father finds out about this—""
""Shut up, Brooke!"" Nathan snarled, yanking his arm away from her grip. ""Just shut up!""
It was the first time I had ever seen him lose control in front of another person. The polished facade was cracked wide open, revealing the bitter, selfish core beneath.
Marcus and I packed our portfolios in complete silence. We didn't gloat. We didn't smirk. We carried ourselves with the quiet dignity of people who had simply told the truth.
As I walked down the center aisle toward the double doors, Nathan lunged forward, stopping just short of the wooden gate.
""You think you won, Vivian?"" he hissed, his eyes wild and bloodshot. ""You think you can destroy my career and walk away? Sterling & Sterling won't tolerate this. I will drag this out until you are bankrupt. You won't see a dime of that money.""
I stopped. I turned back to face him, looking at the man I had loved for a decade, wondering how I had ever been blinded by his superficial charm.
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""You're right about one thing, Nathan,"" I said softly, so only he and Brooke could hear. ""Sterling & Sterling won't tolerate this. You should check your email. Marcus copied the managing partners on the public fraud filings twenty minutes ago.""
Nathan's jaw dropped. The color drained from his face entirely, leaving him a ghastly, hollow gray.
