The judge read the message aloud.
Vanessa’s tears became real.
Judge Whitmore folded his hands. “The prenuptial limitation is void due to deliberate asset concealment and documented fraud. I am granting temporary control of the disputed shares and intellectual property to Mrs. Mercer pending final judgment. I am also freezing the accounts identified in the federal filing.”
Grant struck the table with his palm. “You can’t do this!”
The judge’s face hardened. “Mr. Mercer, arrogance is not a legal defense.”
The Mercer Dynamics board had convened that morning under an emergency clause I had written into the company bylaws. Any investigation involving fraud against corporate assets automatically suspended the officers involved. Grant and Vanessa had both been removed. By unanimous vote, the board named me interim executive chair.
Grant stared ahead as though the courtroom had shifted beneath him.
“You said I would never touch your money again,” I told him. “You were right.”
