Chapter 7 - The Trial Date
The Miami-Dade County Courthouse was suffocatingly hot, even with the industrial air conditioning blasting through the high-ceilinged corridors. Flashbulbs popped blindingly as I walked up the courthouse steps, flanked by Marcus and two corporate security officers.
Reporters shouted over one another.
*"Ms. Prescott! Is it true your husband embezzled over half a million dollars?"*
*"Ms. Prescott! Do you have a comment on the ongoing federal investigation into Prescott Holdings?"*
I kept my eyes forward, my expression carved from cold marble. I wore a tailored Yves Saint Laurent black dress, Christian Louboutin pumps, and a pair of dark sunglasses that shielded my eyes from the glare of the Florida sun.
Inside Courtroom 302, the atmosphere was thick with tension.
Brandon sat at the defense table, flanked by a public defender who looked like he had just graduated law school that morning and wanted nothing more than to be anywhere else in the universe. Brandon looked utterly hollowed out. His tailored suits were gone, replaced by an ill-fitting, cheap department store blazer. His hair was unkempt, and dark purple circles bruised the skin beneath his eyes.
Brooke wasn't even in the courtroom. Once she realized that Brandon was facing prison time and absolute financial ruin, she packed her remaining bags, blocked his number, and moved back in with her parents in Fort Lauderdale.
Evelyn and Howard sat on the hard wooden benches in the back row. When they saw me walk in, Evelyn’s face twisted into an expression of pure, venomous hatred. She stood up as if to lurch forward, but a court bailiff stepped in front of her, resting his hand casually on his belt holster. She sat back down, trembling with impotent rage.
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Elizabeth Vance—no relation to the defendant," the bailiff announced loudly.
Judge Vance, a stern-faced woman with iron-grey hair and sharp, analytical eyes, adjusted her glasses and looked down from the bench.
"We are here for Case Number 2024-FL-9932: Prescott versus Vance," Judge Vance stated, her voice echoing clearly through the courtroom. "This is a contested divorce proceeding with cross-motions for asset forfeiture, corporate embezzlement recovery, and fraud. Mr. Marcus, representing the petitioner?"
"Present, Your Honor," Marcus said smoothly, standing up.
"Mr. Higgins, representing the respondent?"
The young public defender nervously stood up. "Present, Your Honor. The... the defense requests a thirty-day continuance to review the new federal forensic audit documents—"
"Denied," Judge Vance interrupted sharply. "The court has reviewed the extensive documentation provided by Prescott Holdings LLC. The evidence of systematic corporate embezzlement, wire fraud, and falsified financial disclosures is overwhelming and uncontroverted."
Brandon buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking.
Judge Vance looked directly down at Brandon. "Mr. Vance, before I render my final judgment and issue the criminal referral to the United States District Attorney’s Office, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Brandon slowly stood up, his legs trembling beneath him. He looked across the courtroom, his eyes meeting mine. There was no arrogance left in them. No smugness. Just a pathetic, hollow pleading.
"Your Honor..." Brandon’s voice cracked, tears spilling over his lower eyelids. "I... I made mistakes. I lost my way. But Charlotte... Charlotte, please. We were married for five years. Have mercy. Don't ruin my life."
The silence in the courtroom was absolute.
I stood up slowly, buttoning my jacket, and walked to the podium. I didn't look at Brandon. I looked straight up at the judge.
"Your Honor, for five years, I offered my husband love, loyalty, and financial security," I said, my voice ringing with calm, authoritative clarity. "I built a business from the ground up while he sat back, contributed nothing, and systematically stole from my company to fund an extravagant lifestyle for himself, his mistress, and his family. Mercy is for those who show remorse and integrity. The respondent showed only greed and deception."
I paused, letting the weight of my words settle over the courtroom.
"I am asking the court to dissolve this marriage immediately, grant full recovery of all embezzled corporate funds via asset seizure of the respondent’s personal property, and forward all forensic files directly to the federal prosecutor."
Judge Vance nodded slowly.
May you like
"The court accepts the petitioner’s recommendations in full," Judge Vance banged her gavel down with a sharp, echoing crack. "The marriage of Charlotte Prescott and Brandon Vance is hereby dissolved. All corporate assets remain exclusively with Prescott Holdings LLC. Furthermore, the court finds probable cause for federal wire fraud and grand larceny. Bailiff, take the defendant into custody."
***
