Chapter 10 - THE COURTROOM ATTACK
Derek’s lawyer was good.
That made Clara hate him more.
He didn’t call her irresponsible.
He called her “understandably desperate.”
He didn’t accuse her of sleeping with Victor.
He asked whether “professional boundaries had become blurred.”
He didn’t say the Hale estate was dangerous.
He simply listed facts.
A child nearly fell from a roof.
Police had entered the home twice.
An alleged kidnapping occurred.
The employer’s brother was under federal investigation.
Then he smiled at the judge.
“Is that a stable environment for a seven-year-old girl?”
Clara wanted to stand up and throw something.
Her lawyer touched her arm.
“Don’t.”
Derek sat across the room wearing the expression of a concerned father.
It made Clara sick.
The judge looked at Clara.
“Ms. Bennett, why did you accept this position?”
“The salary.”
Derek’s lawyer smiled.
“Nothing else?”
“No.”
“You moved your residence to your employer’s property.”
“Yes.”
“You left the estate with Mr. Hale after midnight two nights ago.”
“To help find his kidnapped son.”
“A kidnapping allegedly committed by Mr. Hale’s own brother.”
“Yes.”
“And you still believe this is safe?”
Clara looked at the judge.
“I believe safety is more than having a quiet house.”
Derek’s lawyer frowned.
Clara continued.
“My daughter’s father has a nice house. He has a good salary. He has schedules and rules and clean carpets.”
Derek shifted.
“But stability isn’t just a mortgage payment.”
The judge listened.
“Stability is knowing your parent will show up.”
Clara’s voice shook.
“I’ve worked two jobs before. I’ve skipped meals. I’ve slept on my sister’s couch. None of that means I stopped being Lily’s mother.”
Derek muttered something.
Clara heard it.
“So dramatic.”
She looked at him.
And years of swallowed anger finally surfaced.
“You want to know what’s dramatic?”
Her lawyer whispered, “Clara.”
Too late.
“Having your husband empty a joint savings account six weeks after telling you the marriage was over.”
Derek sat up.
“That is not what happened.”
“Having him cancel the lease on your apartment because his name was still on it.”
“Your Honor—”
“Having him create instability, then use the instability he created as proof that you’re unstable.”
The courtroom went still.
Derek’s lawyer stood.
“Objection.”
The judge looked at Clara.
“Do you have evidence?”
Clara’s anger turned cold.
“Yes.”
Her lawyer opened a folder.
Bank statements.
Emails.
The canceled lease notice.
Messages from Derek.
For months, Clara had been ashamed of those documents.
Today, they became ammunition.
Derek’s face changed.
Then the courtroom door opened.
Victor walked in.
Clara stared.
Behind him were Mrs. Whitaker and Detective Ruiz.
Victor’s attorney handed paperwork to Clara’s lawyer.
The judge frowned.
“What is this?”
Victor spoke.
“Employment verification.”
Derek’s lawyer stood.
“Mr. Hale, your presence is highly irregular.”
“So is inventing a romantic relationship with an employee.”
Clara closed her eyes.
Victor continued.
“Ms. Bennett has a private residence. Written employment protections. A guaranteed one-year contract. Health insurance for herself and her daughter.”
The judge looked through the documents.
Derek’s lawyer said, “Mr. Hale’s home is part of an active criminal investigation.”
Detective Ruiz stepped forward.
“The threat to that residence was Grant Hale. An arrest warrant has been issued. Additional security has been established.”
The judge nodded slowly.
Derek looked furious.
The hearing lasted another hour.
Then came the ruling.
Lily would remain with Clara.
Temporary primary custody.
Final review in three months.
Clara covered her mouth.
She could barely breathe.
Outside the courtroom, Derek grabbed her arm.
“You think you won?”
Clara jerked free.
“Don’t touch me.”
“You embarrassed me in there.”
“You did that yourself.”
His face twisted.
“Enjoy playing house with your billionaire.”
Victor stepped between them.
“Walk away.”
Derek laughed.
“There he is.”
“Derek,” Clara warned.
“What? Your boss doesn’t like hearing the truth?”
Victor didn’t move.
Derek pointed at Clara.
“She ruins everything she touches.”
Clara went still.
That sentence had controlled her for years.
For the first time, it sounded small.
She looked Derek straight in the eye.
“No.”
He blinked.
“You just got used to me believing you.”
She walked away.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A man’s voice whispered:
“If you want Grant Hale, come alone.”
Clara stopped.
“Who is this?”
“You have something he wants.”
“What?”
May you like
The man laughed.
“Elena’s real evidence.”
