PART 2 — THE MONEY THEY NEVER KNEW ABOUT
Julian’s panic finally broke through his carefully maintained confidence.
“Your Honor, those documents are misleading,” he said quickly. “My wife has always been obsessed with controlling our finances.”
Clara remained seated.
She didn’t interrupt him.
She simply watched as his attorney hurriedly flipped through the documents.
Judge Harrison looked over the top of his glasses.
“Mr. Vance, I suggest you allow your attorney to speak for you.”
Julian swallowed.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
The judge returned to the binder.
“There is more.”
He lifted another document.
“Mrs. Sterling has submitted evidence indicating that several of the consultancy companies receiving payments from Vance Global were controlled indirectly by Mr. Vance himself.”
Julian’s attorney stood.
“We dispute that characterization.”
“You may dispute it,” Judge Harrison replied, “but the banking records appear remarkably consistent.”
A few people in the gallery whispered.
Chloe’s fingers tightened around Julian’s sleeve.
“Julian,” she whispered, “what did you do?”
He pulled his arm away.
“Not now.”
She stared at him in disbelief.
Only minutes earlier, she had been smiling confidently.
Now she looked terrified.
Clara finally spoke.
“There is one final document, Your Honor.”
She slid a sealed folder across the table.
The judge opened it.
His expression changed.
“What is this?”
Clara looked directly at Julian.
“The prenuptial agreement.”
Julian laughed nervously.
“That agreement protects me.”
“No,” Clara replied calmly.
“It protects the person who entered the marriage without intending to deceive the other spouse.”
Julian’s smile disappeared.
The judge continued reading.
Then he stopped.
He looked at Julian.
“Mr. Vance, did you read this agreement before signing it?”
“Of course.”
“Did you understand the financial disclosure provisions?”
“Yes.”
“Then you should understand the significance of Schedule C.”
Julian’s face went pale.
His attorney leaned toward him.
“What is Schedule C?”
Julian didn’t answer.
Clara did.
“It states that any assets concealed from the marriage disclosure process become subject to the court’s equitable determination.”
She opened another folder.
“And he concealed quite a lot.”
PART 3 — THE ACCOUNT
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