Chapter 5 - The Reckoning of Accounts
With their reputations destroyed, Eleanor and Julian tried to go on the offensive legally. They hired a high-profile divorce attorney, demanding 50% of Aegis Global, claiming that as Julian’s wife during the company’s growth, I owed him marital property division.
We met in a formal deposition room in downtown Seattle. Julian sat across from me, flanked by three lawyers. Eleanor sat beside him, wearing a cheap coat she had bought at a department store, her eyes swollen from crying.
“We are asking for $150 million in spousal settlement, the reinstatement of the Blackwood mansion lease, and a monthly alimony of $50,000 for Mrs. Eleanor Vance,” Julian’s lead attorney stated boldly.
I didn't even look at the lawyer. I looked at Julian. “Did you read the prenuptial agreement you signed four years ago, Julian?”
Julian blinked. “The... the prenup? You said that was just standard paperwork for your trust!”
Arthur pulled out a thick leather binder and slid it across the table.
“This prenuptial agreement,” Arthur explained calmly, “contains a severe infidelity and abuse clause. It states that if either party subjects the other to physical harm, public humiliation, or emotional battery—supported by video evidence—the offending party forfeits all claims to marital property, alimony, and gifts given during the marriage.”
Julian turned pale. “Physical harm? I didn't touch you!”
“Your mother poured near-boiling liquid over my skin, causing second-degree burns on my neck,” I said, pulling down my collar slightly to reveal the faint red scar still healing near my collarbone. “And you recorded it, laughed, and encouraged it. Under state law, you acted as an accomplice to aggravated assault.”
“Furthermore,” Arthur added, opening another file, “we have completed an audit of Vance Marketing. Over the last three years, Julian Vance embezzled $1.2 million from corporate accounts to fund his mother’s gambling debts and his sister’s luxury trips. We have already filed criminal charges with the State Prosecutor.”
Eleanor let out a sharp, hysterical shriek. “Embezzlement?! Julian, what did you do?!”
“Mom, shut up!” Julian yelled, grabbing his hair in panic. He fell to his knees in front of my chair, looking up at me with streaming tears. “Clara... please! Please don't do this! I love you! I was stupid! My mom pushed me to do it! She always hated you, not me! I’ll change, I swear!”
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I pulled my feet back so he couldn't touch my shoes.
“You didn't love me, Julian,” I said softly. “You loved the money you didn't even realize I was providing. And now, you’re going to pay every single cent back.”
