Chapter 10: The Marble Hall of Reckoning**
The federal courtroom was silent save for the rhythmic tapping of Chief Justice Carter’s pen against the mahogany bench. Arthur Sterling sat at the defense table, flanked by four high-priced corporate defense attorneys. Julianna sat behind him, her designer dress failing to mask the raw panic etched into her pale face.
Arthur still held his head high, radiating the arrogant certainty that money could bend any statute.
"Your Honor," Arthur’s lead attorney stood smoothly. "This is an outrageous overreach. Victoria Vance is an unstable former employee with a history of corporate espionage. My client acted solely in the best interest of the child’s welfare and estate protection."
"Is that so, Counselor?" Justice Carter’s voice was like dry ice. She adjusted her reading glasses and held up a thick bound document. "Then perhaps you can explain why your client transferred twelve million dollars to a shell corporation owned by Judge Henderson’s spouse two days before the emergency custody order was filed?"
Arthur’s face drained of color. He turned his head sharply toward his lawyer, whose mouth remained slightly open, unable to produce a sound.
The heavy doors at the back of the courtroom swung open.
May you like
Victoria walked down the center aisle. She was dressed simply in a clean white shirt and dark slacks, holding Lily’s hand. Lily walked beside her, no longer looking at the floor, her chin lifted, her gaze clear and unfaltering.
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