Chapter 6 - The bracelet
Chloe began removing the diamond bracelet from her wrist.
Too late.
Judge Thorne had already noticed it.
So had I.
The video continued.
Recorded Chloe touched Julian’s shoulder.
“What about custody?”
Julian smiled.
“Elena has no money.”
Evelyn answered:
“She will after the divorce.”
“No.”
Julian opened another folder.
“She won’t.”
He explained how he had transferred marital funds through vendor accounts.
How he intended to characterize certain withdrawals as business losses.
How his attorney would portray me as financially dependent.
Then Evelyn said:
“And Maya?”
Julian’s expression changed.
“She’s the leverage.”
My knees nearly gave way.
Inside the courtroom, the real Julian stood abruptly.
“That recording was taken illegally!”
His attorney hissed:
“Sit down.”
But Julian was unraveling.
“My daughter was manipulated!”
“By whom?” I asked.
He looked at me.
For one second, neither of us remembered we were in court.
“You did this.”
“I didn’t know the video existed.”
“Liar!”
The bailiff stepped between us.
Judge Thorne struck her gavel.
“Mr. Vance!”
Julian stopped.
Judge Thorne turned toward me.
“Mrs. Vance, you stated you have financial documentation?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
I looked at Julian.
“Transfers.”
His face changed.
“Fake vendors.”
Chloe stopped moving.
“Forged authorizations.”
Evelyn stared at me.
“And payments made to a company registered at an address connected to Ms. Mercer.”
Every head turned toward Chloe.
She instinctively covered the bracelet.
I looked at her wrist.
“That bracelet was mine.”
Chloe whispered:
“I can explain.”
Maya suddenly spoke.
“No, you can’t.”
Everyone turned toward her.
My daughter was staring at Chloe.
May you like
Then she said something that made Julian close his eyes.
“There’s another video.”
