“We are requesting full legal and physical custody to ensure the stability these children require,” Harrison concluded, his voice echoing with the cold logic of a man who viewed families as balance sheets. The woman at the other table listened to every word without flinching or attempting to interrupt.
When the judge asked if she had legal representation, she informed him that she would be speaking on her own behalf. This prompted another smug look from Dominic, who clearly believed the lack of a high-priced lawyer was the final nail in her coffin.
“Very well, you may speak,” Judge Whitfield said, leaning forward to hear her response. She took a moment to look down at her sons before opening her leather bag and pulling out a single, pristine envelope.
“I signed that agreement because I trusted the man I married,” she began, her voice low but carrying to every corner of the room. Dominic rolled his eyes and leaned back, whispering that the court was about to hear a sob story about broken hearts.
“I signed it because when someone says they love you, you don’t expect every smile to be a hidden blade,” she continued, her gaze fixed on the judge rather than her husband. Harrison Baxter tried to intervene, stating that emotional grievances did not invalidate a signed legal contract.
“I am not contesting the signature,” she said, cutting through his objection with a sudden, chilling authority. “I am saying that there is vital information your client intentionally left out of his disclosures.”
Harrison frowned, insisting that all documentation had been provided, but the woman simply offered a faint, cold smile. She handed the envelope to the bailiff, who passed it up to the bench where the judge broke the seal.
Judge Whitfield’s face remained neutral at first, but then his eyes began to move faster across the pages. He stopped entirely, looking up at Dominic with an expression that had shifted from boredom to a deep, simmering suspicion.
“Mr. Thorne, are you aware of whose name appears on the original registration for Thorne Global?” the judge asked. Dominic gave an incredulous laugh and stated that the company was obviously his, but the woman shook her head.