Chapter 8 - The Final Stand in Court
Two months later. The Richmond Family Courtroom.
The divorce proceedings were finalized in record time. Because of the overwhelming digital evidence of physical assault, domestic threats, and financial fraud, the judge granted a complete annulment on the grounds of fraud and cruelty.
Gregory sat at the defense table next to a court-appointed public defender. He was wearing an ill-fitting suit he had bought from a discount thrift store. His hair was messy, his eyes hollow.
Beside him, Evelyn looked equally defeated, wearing cheap clothes and refusing to look anyone in the eye.
My legal team, led by Arthur Harrison, sat calmly at our table. I wore an immaculate white silk blouse and a charcoal designer suit, looking every bit the high-powered executive I was.
"In light of the clear, uncontradicted evidence," the judge declared, slamming his gavel onto the wooden desk, "the court hereby grants the annulment. Mr. Gregory Halston is ordered to pay full legal restitution to Mrs. Sarah Vance in the amount of $45,000 for legal expenses."
The judge leaned forward, looking sternly down at Gregory over his glasses.
"Furthermore," the judge added, "this court finds Mr. Halston in contempt of emergency protective orders. The bailiffs will take Mr. Halston into custody immediately to await his criminal trial for forgery, bank fraud, and misdemeanor assault."
Two uniformed sheriff’s deputies stepped forward, pulling out steel handcuffs.
"Wait! No! You can't lock me up!" Gregory shrieked, backing away from the table as the metal cuffs clicked tightly around his wrists. "Sarah! Tell them to stop! Sarah!"
He struggled against the deputies, his eyes locking onto mine with desperate, pathetic pleading.
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I stood up slowly, picking up my leather handbag. I didn't look at him with anger. I didn't look at him with satisfaction. I looked at him with complete, absolute indifference.
As the deputies dragged Gregory out through the back doors of the courtroom, his mother began wailing in the gallery, realizing her son was going to prison and her comfortable life was officially over.
