After 144 hours with his mistress, my husband finally remembered his pregnant wife. The trembling aide told him: 'sir, your wife bled out and lst the son you abandoned. She already signed the divorce papers and walked away!'

The final hearing in the Superior Court of San Francisco was packed with financial journalists and corporate observers. It was the trial of the year: the spectacular downfall of Julian Vale.

Judge Harrison sat on the bench, reviewing the voluminous settlement documents submitted by Arthur Pendelton.

Julian sat at the defense table, completely alone. His high-priced defense attorney had quit two days prior after realizing that Julian couldn't pay his retainer and that the evidence of embezzlement and corporate espionage was insurmountable.

Across the aisle, I sat flanked by Arthur and Maya, wearing a sharp white blazer, my head held high.

"Mr. Vale," Judge Harrison said, his voice grave as he looked down at Julian over his reading glasses. "The court has reviewed the stipulated settlement agreement, alongside the forensic audit from Vale Meridian and the criminal referral for corporate fraud and attempted proprietary espionage."

Julian swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "Your Honor... some of those charges were inflated by—"

"Mr. Vale," the judge interrupted sternly. "You diverted over 2.4 million dollars in corporate assets, utilized company funds for illicit personal affairs, and attempted to unlawfully transfer proprietary trade secrets to a competitor. Furthermore, the uncontested grounds for divorce—adultery and gross abandonment during a medical emergency resulting in the loss of a child—render any claims to marital property null and void under state statutes."

Julian stared down at the table, his hands clenched into tight fists.

"The court hereby approves the final settlement," Judge Harrison announced, striking his gavel. "All shares, properties, and corporate assets previously held jointly or under proxy are formally restored to Evelyn Vale. Mr. Vale’s executive rights are permanently terminated, and he is ordered to pay full restitution of 2.4 million dollars to Vale Meridian, alongside spousal and marital asset forfeiture."

Bang.

The gavel fell. It was over.

As the gallery erupted with whispers and camera flashes, Julian sat motionless in his chair, staring blankly at the polished wood table. His empire, his wealth, his status, and his pride had all been completely obliterated.

As I walked out of the courtroom past his table, Julian slowly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot and desperate.