Chapter 5 - Unraveling the Web
The legal fallout from the Vance & Mitchell collapse was the talk of the financial world for the next year.
Because I had co-signed several documents during our marriage under duress, Bradley's legal team tried to drag me into the federal investigation, hoping to force a settlement out of my brother’s hedge fund. They wanted to prove I was a co-conspirator.
But William and I were prepared.
During the final deposition in a high-security conference room in London, Bradley sat across from me, flanked by a court-appointed public defender.
Our lead attorney, Victoria Vance (no relation to Victor), opened a thick black binder and laid out a series of notarized letters.
"Mr. Mitchell," Victoria said, her voice echoing in the quiet room. "These are the medical records from the New York psychiatric clinic you forced your wife to attend three years ago under the threat of losing custody of her children. We also have the recorded phone calls where you explicitly stated that she had 'no right' to look at the financial statements of Mitchell Holdings."
Bradley’s lawyer looked at the documents, then let out a heavy sigh, sliding his chair back. "This is a clear case of financial abuse and coercion. If you attempt to bring Mrs. Mitchell into this trial, we will file a countersuit that will guarantee a maximum sentence for your client."
Bradley looked up at me, his eyes hollow. "You planned this from the very beginning, didn't you?"
"No, Bradley," I said, looking him in the eye for the last time. "I didn't plan your greed. I didn't plan your affair. I didn't plan your betrayal. You built the trap yourself. I just refused to stay inside it."
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Two hours later, the court finalized the terms. Bradley signed a full waiver of all parental rights and agreed to a plea deal that carried a five-year sentence in a federal penitentiary.
As he was led out of the room in handcuffs, he didn't look back. He had finally run out of moves.
