Chapter 10 - The Courthouse Ambush
The morning of the preliminary hearing arrived with heavy gray rain over Manhattan.
I walked into the family court building wearing a tailored navy suit, accompanied by David and Leo.
Eleanor was already sitting at the plaintiff’s table, dressed in a black fur coat, surrounded by two expensive defense lawyers.
Arthur sat beside her, looking drained and hollow.
Valerie was nowhere to be seen.
As I sat down at the defense table, Eleanor shot me a venomous look across the aisle.
"You think you're clever, Sarah," Eleanor sneered quietly under her breath.
"By lunchtime, every penny you made will belong to my family."
The judge entered the courtroom and slammed his gavel down.
"We are here in the matter of Westwood vs. Jenkins," Judge Harris announced sternly.
"Plaintiff claims illegal conversion of trust funds."
"Defense, how do you plead?"
David stood up smoothly, adjusting his buttoned jacket.
"Your Honor, we do not merely plead not guilty," David announced clearly.
May you like
"We move for an immediate dismissal of all charges..."
"...and we present evidence of grand embezzlement against the Plaintiff, Eleanor Westwood."
