Chapter 8 - The Final Courtroom Drama
The divorce proceedings were a formality, wrapped into the civil litigation of my lawsuit against him for the embezzled marital funds.
I walked into the courtroom wearing a tailored, crimson suit—the color of power, the color of victory. Julian sat in the front row, his reassuring smile anchoring me. My father sat beside him, looking like a king presiding over an execution.
Adrian was brought in from holding. His bail had been revoked after he attempted to flee the state. He was in an orange jumpsuit, handcuffed, looking hollowed out.
The judge, a stern woman with zero tolerance for nonsense, slammed her gavel.
"Mr. Vale," the judge read from the documents, "the evidence shows you systematically siphoned millions from the Sterling trust under the guise of marital assets. Furthermore, the prenuptial agreement you forced Ms. Sterling to sign—believing her to be penniless—ironically protects her assets entirely."
Adrian stared at the floor, devoid of life.
"I grant the divorce immediately," the judge declared. "Furthermore, I order Mr. Vale to pay full restitution of forty-two million dollars to the Sterling Estate. As he cannot pay, his remaining personal effects will be liquidated. Mr. Vale, you are remanded back to federal custody to await your criminal sentencing for fraud."
"Is there anything you wish to say, Mr. Vale?" the judge asked.
Adrian slowly turned his head to look at me. His eyes were dead. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He simply lowered his head in utter defeat.
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"Take him away," the judge ordered.
As the bailiff led him out in chains, I felt a massive weight lift from my chest. The chapter wasn't just closed; the book was burned.
