Chapter 6 - The Courtroom Battle Begins
The county family court was crowded on Monday morning. The gallery was packed with local reporters who had picked up on the graduation viral clip, along with several of Joanna’s colleagues from the social work community who had come to show solidarity.
Judge Martha Reynolds, a no-nonsense jurist with thirty years on the bench, presided over the hearing.
Jonathan’s lead corporate attorney, a high-priced shark named Vance Sterling (no relation to Arthur), stood at the podium, presenting a glossy digital display of Denise's financial transactions and global travel manifests.
"Your Honor," Sterling argued, his voice smooth and persuasive. "My client, Denise Wallace, was forced to place her child temporarily in the care of her family due to severe post-partum complications and extreme financial instability during the early stages of her career. As evidenced by these bank transfers, she maintained continuous financial support. The respondent, Joanna Vance, utilized the child's presence to secure subsidized housing and family foundation grants, effectively alienating the natural mother from her son for personal stability."
A murmur of indignation rose from the gallery, but Judge Reynolds silenced the room with a sharp tap of her gavel.
Clara Vance stood up for the defense, her posture calm, holding a single flash drive. "Your Honor, we would like to submit two pieces of evidence into the record. The first is the contemporary journal of the child, Simon Vance, spanning six years, detailing the systematic emotional absence and alienation perpetrated by the petitioner. The second is an unedited audio recording of a meeting that took place three days ago at the Bistro downtown."
Jonathan’s attorney jumped up. "Objection, Your Honor! Unlawful recording without consent!"
"In this state, Your Honor, one-party consent is entirely legal for recording conversations involving potential financial coercion and fraud," Clara countered smoothly. "In this recording, Mrs. Wallace explicitly offers a five-hundred-thousand-dollar bribe to my client to force the minor to sign a corporate trust document, while simultaneously threatening her employment stability if she refuses."
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Judge Reynolds’ eyebrows shot up. "Objection overruled. I will review the audio in chambers immediately. Court will recess for two hours."
As the judge exited the bench, Denise turned to Jonathan, her face pale, whispering frantically. Jonathan, however, didn't look at her. He was staring at the laptop screen where his corporate PR manager was sending urgent alerts. The audio recording leak rumors were already hit the financial chat groups. The forty-two million dollar trust was slipping through his fingers, and he was beginning to realize that Denise was no longer an asset—she was a liability.
