Chapter 1 - The Founder's Name
The heavy oak gavel slammed down onto the wooden bench, its echo ringing through the packed, sunlit courtroom.
Judge Callahan flipped open the thick leather binder containing the original corporate incorporation documents of Vance Systems. His sharp eyes scanned down the faded yellow parchment until they hit the founder line.
His hand froze. His white eyebrows knitted together in utter disbelief.
Julian’s smug, arrogant smile instantly vanished from his dark-haired, handsome face. He sat frozen behind his counsel table in a tailored grey suit with a maroon tie, his mouth opening slightly as he felt the air leave his lungs. Beside him, Chloe—wearing a dark green dress—covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide with mounting panic.
Judge Callahan slowly looked up, pointing a thick index finger directly at the paper.
"Mr. Vance..." Judge Callahan asked in a calm, lethal voice that carried to the very back row of the courtroom, "why is your wife's name listed as 100% sole owner of Vance Systems?"
Evelyn stood before the bench in a powder blue formal long gown adorned with a delicate crystal brooch. Her long wavy blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and tears welled in her eyes, yet her posture remained dignified, unyielding, and sovereign.
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Clinging tightly to her waist were her seven-year-old twin sons, Mason and Lucas, dressed in sharp dark blazers over bowties, looking up fondly at their mother.
👉 Read PART 2 to hear the quiet demand Evelyn made to the judge!
