Chapter 7
By afternoon, the quiet confines of Arthur’s temporary study had transformed into an impromptu war room. Legal documents, financial forensic reports, and court filings covered every square inch of the wooden desk. Arthur sat across from Sarah Chen, a senior partner from a premier corporate litigation firm, who was systematically reviewing the labyrinthine corporate structures Beatrice had utilized to hide the embezzled funds.
"The good news is that the preliminary asset freeze went through without a hitch," Sarah said, tapping a polished fingernail against a complex flow chart of shell companies. "Because we were able to demonstrate immediate physical endangerment alongside financial fraud, a judge granted an emergency injunction on all of Beatrice’s personal accounts, including the primary estate and her secondary investment portfolio."
Arthur leaned back in his chair, rubbing his tired eyes. "And the house? Can we force a quick liquidation?"
"Normally, real estate tied up in corporate trusts can take months to untangle," Sarah explained, adjusting her glasses. "However, because the initial purchase was funded entirely by wire transfers originating from your personal international accounts without Natalie’s knowledge or consent, we can claim a constructive trust. In simple terms, the court recognizes that Beatrice held the property purely as a fraudulent trustee. We can force a court-ordered sale within thirty days, and every single dollar will be repatriated directly to Natalie’s medical recovery fund."
Arthur nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. "And what about Beatrice’s legal defense? She’s not going to roll over easily. She has access to a lot of high-priced criminal lawyers who will try to claim this was a civil dispute over household management."
"They can try," Sarah replied with a sharp, confident smile. "Our digital forensics packet includes every text message, every falsified medical refusal letter, and the exact IP logs proving she impersonated Natalie to sign over power of attorney. That crosses the line from civil mismanagement straight into criminal identity theft and felony elder abuse. No judge in this state is going to buy a domestic dispute defense when we have documented proof of withheld cancer treatments."
"Good," Arthur said coldly. "Make sure the prosecution has everything they need. I don't want a plea deal that lets her walk away with a slap on the wrist. She watched Natalie starve while living in the lap of luxury on my dime. She needs to face the maximum penalty under the law."
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Sarah closed her leather-bound portfolio and stood up, extending a hand to Arthur. "Leave it to us, Mr. Vance. By the time this goes to trial, Beatrice won't just be broke; she’ll be looking at a significant prison sentence. Focus on Natalie. That’s where your energy belongs now."
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