Brooke sat behind him wearing a designer coat paid for through the fake agency.
Arthur’s attorney stood.
“Your Honor, my client is being subjected to a vindictive and excessive seizure of personal assets. Mrs. Sterling has used a marital dispute and her corporate influence to punish her husband.”
Judge Evelyn Hayes glanced toward my attorney.
“Ms. Caldwell?”
Victoria rose and placed three large binders on the table.
“This is not a dispute over marital property, Your Honor. The preservation order concerns corporate funds obtained through fraud, forgery, and unauthorized transfers.”
She opened the first binder.
“Over eight months, Mr. Vance approved twenty-four invoices to Thorne Digital Media, an entity registered under the maiden name of a relative of Ms. Brooke Thorne.”
Arthur’s lawyer interrupted.
“The company provided legitimate consulting services.”
Victoria did not react.
“Thorne Digital Media has no employees, no physical office, no tax history reflecting business operations, and no evidence that it has ever performed consulting work.”
She opened the second binder.
“The funds were transferred into accounts used to secure a luxury apartment, private maternity services, custom nursery furnishings, designer purchases, and a diamond gift.”
Brooke’s expression changed.
Victoria continued.
“The final three transactions required Mrs. Sterling’s authorization. Forensic examination of the electronic files shows that her signature was copied from prior documents and inserted into the approvals by Mr. Vance.”
The judge looked toward Arthur.
Victoria placed one final document before the court.
“The server records further establish that these approvals were created while Mrs. Sterling was hospitalized following a pregnancy loss.”
The courtroom became completely still.
Arthur gripped the edge of the table.
Then he turned toward me.
“Eleanor,” he said quietly. “We don’t need to do this here.”
I said nothing.
“We can settle privately,” he continued. “Think about my parents. Think about what this will do to our families.”
I met his gaze.
“You should have considered your family before turning their silence into permission for your own deception.”
The judge struck the gavel once.
“That is enough.”
She reviewed the documents in front of her before issuing her ruling.
“The court finds substantial evidence supporting allegations of corporate fraud, forgery, identity theft, and theft of company assets. The preservation order will remain in effect.”
Arthur’s attorney began to object, but Judge Hayes raised one hand.
“Mr. Vance will also surrender his passport pending further proceedings.”
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