Chapter 2: Article Twelve
The courtroom grew so silent you could hear the soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead. Richard’s attorney, a high-priced shark named Bradley, frowned and quickly flipped through his copy of the hundred-page prenuptial agreement.
"Article Twelve?" Bradley muttered, his confidence wavering for a fraction of a second. "Your Honor, Article Twelve is a standard boilerplate clause regarding miscellaneous provisions. It has no bearing on the division of assets."
"On the contrary," Miriam Vance said, her voice echoing with absolute authority as she walked toward the judge's bench. She handed a thick, leather-bound binder to the bailiff to pass to Judge Harrison. "Article Twelve, Subsection Four, was manually inserted by Richard Sterling’s late father when the contract was drafted six years ago. It is an Infidelity and Morality Clause."
Richard scoffed loudly, leaning back in his chair. "So what? Every prenup has a cheating clause, Caroline. It caps your settlement if you stray. Too bad for you, I’m the one who stayed focused on the business."
"Actually, Richard," I said, speaking up for the first time, my voice entirely devoid of fear, "your father didn't trust you. He knew exactly what kind of man you were."
Miriam smiled and adjusted her glasses. "Subsection Four clearly states, and I quote: 'In the event that either party engages in documented, continuous extramarital relations resulting in the dissipation of marital assets or the public humiliation of the spouse, the offending party shall forfeit one hundred percent of their personal shares in Sterling Capital, and all residential properties shall immediately transfer to the non-offending spouse.'"
The color drained from Richard’s face so fast he looked almost gray. He slammed his hands on the table and stood up. "That’s absurd! That was only applicable if there was public humiliation! Nobody knew anything until Caroline threw a tantrum and filed for divorce!"
"Is that so?" Miriam pulled a tablet from her briefcase and tapped the screen. "Your Honor, we have just submitted Exhibit G. It is a live link to three major entertainment and business news outlets. Exactly ten minutes ago, an anonymous source leaked the entire digital paper trail of Mr. Sterling’s affair."
Behind Richard, Sloane gasped. She pulled out her phone, her manicured fingers flying across the screen. "Richard... oh my god. Richard, look!"
On the tablet screen, which was now mirrored on the courtroom's presentation monitor, were high-definition photos of Richard and Sloane vacationing in Saint-Tropez while I was bedridden with severe morning sickness. There were screenshots of text messages where Richard called Sloane his "future queen" and promised her my grandmother's sapphires. But worst of all for Richard's billionaire status, there were receipts proving he had used Sterling Capital corporate funds to buy Sloane’s luxury apartment and her white designer outfit.
"The public humiliation is now global, Mr. Sterling," Miriam stated coldly. "And because you used corporate accounts to fund your mistress, you have actively dissipated marital assets under the strict definition of Article Twelve."
Bradley, Richard's attorney, fell back into his chair, staring at the paperwork in horror. "Richard... you idiot. You signed this? Your father put a total forfeiture clause in here?"
May you like
"I... I forgot!" Richard stammered, sweat breaking out across his forehead. He looked at me, his arrogant smirk entirely gone, replaced by pure panic. "Caroline, wait. Let's talk about this. We can settle outside of court! Think of the baby!"
"I am thinking of our son, Richard," I said, gently placing a hand over my eight-month-pregnant belly. "I'm making sure he never grows up to be anything like you."
