Chapter 13 - The Courtroom ShowdownThe Charleston County Superior Courtroom was packed to capacity by nine o'clock the next morning.
Flashbulbs popped outside the courthouse steps as reporters swarmed the entrance. The scandal of the billionaire, the former fiancée, and the maid had evolved into a full-scale legal war over marital fraud and estate asset manipulation.
Inside the courtroom, Judge Evelyn Vance sat behind the elevated mahogany bench, reviewing the briefs with a critical, unimpressed eye.
At the plaintiff’s table sat Daniel Delgado—looking slightly older, wearing a cheap, ill-fitting suit, flanked by a high-priced corporate attorney hired and paid for by Vanessa Cole’s remaining trust funds. Beside them sat Vanessa herself, watching from the gallery with a triumphant, venomous smirk.
At the defense table sat Maria Delgado, calm, composed, and wearing her midnight-blue dress like armor. Beside her sat Richard Calloway and a team of the top corporate litigators in the Southeast.
“Your Honor,” Vanessa’s lawyer stood up, smoothing his lapels with theatrical confidence. “We are presenting clear evidence that Ms. Delgado concealed marital assets, falsely claimed single-mother status to secure foundational grants, and is currently residing illegally on private commercial property under fraudulent pretenses. Mr. Daniel Delgado is her legal husband, and he is entitled to a fifty percent stake in all current and future earnings.”
Judge Vance looked over her glasses at Daniel. “Mr. Delgado, you abandoned your wife and a thirteen-month-old child four years ago without a word or a dime of support. What do you have to say to the court?”
Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his seat, looking at the floor before murmuring, “I was young. I made a mistake. But legally, we’re still married. I want what’s mine.”
A low murmur of disgust rippled through the gallery.
Richard leaned over to Maria, whispering softly, “Watch this.”
Maria’s lead counsel stood up, buttoning his suit jacket. He walked slowly toward the center of the courtroom, holding a thick, cream-colored manila folder.
“Your Honor,” the lawyer said smoothly. “We don't dispute that a marriage license was signed seven years ago. However, under South Carolina civil code section four-B, voluntary desertion exceeding three years without financial contribution constitutes an automatic abandonment of marital property rights. Furthermore...”
He pulled out a single sheet of paper and held it up.
“...we have here a signed, notarized affidavit from Mr. Delgado dated three and a half years ago, explicitly stating in writing: 'I hereby renounce all familial claims, debts, and responsibilities toward Maria Delgado and our child.' Filed, stamped, and logged with the Charleston Family Court.”
The courtroom went dead silent.
May you like
Daniel Delgado turned white as a sheet, staring at his own lawyer in absolute panic.
In the gallery, Vanessa Cole’s triumphant smirk vanished instantly, replaced by sheer horror as she realized her expensive revenge plot had just blown up in her face.
