Chapter 13 - The Media Circus
The day of the emergency financial hearing drew a media storm even larger than the initial arraignment. Television crews lined the steps of the federal courthouse, their satellite trucks blocking the streets. Deborah marched into the building in her orange jumpsuit, escorted by armed marshals, yet holding her head high as if she were walking down a red carpet.
She sneered as she passed the news cameras, shouting, "The truth will come out! The Vance family is using their billions to silence us! We are entitled to our fair share!"
Inside the courtroom, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense. Travis sat slumped next to his mother, looking like a ghost of a man, while Richard sat rigid on her other side, sweat beadings on his forehead.
On my side of the aisle, my legal team sat in silence, calm and unbothered. I entered the room dressed in a sharp, tailored ivory suit, completely detached from their desperate drama.
Deborah’s attorney took the podium first, gesturing dramatically toward the judge. "Your Honor, my client Travis Montgomery was systematically deprived of his marital property rights! Miss Sarah Vance hid massive assets during their marriage. We demand an immediate freeze on all marital accounts and an interim payout of $25 million for defense fees!"
May you like
The judge looked down at the motion papers, then shifted his gaze toward my lead counsel. "Does the plaintiff have a response?"
My attorney didn't even bother to stand up right away. He slowly adjusted his cuffs, picked up a single sheet of paper, and approached the bench. "Your Honor, we do not object to the defense's request to examine the financial records. In fact, we welcome it. Because the federal authorities have already completed their examination."
