“Now that is a question squarely before me.”
His lawyer sat down slowly.
Julian did not.
“This is absurd,” he said.
“Maribel was fired.
She’s bitter.
Iris found her and promised her something.”
Maribel’s face tightened.
“You told your wife I moved overseas.”
“I don’t remember what I told her.”
“You remember everything when it helps you.”
The judge lifted one hand.
“That is enough.
Mr.
Vance, sit.”
He did, but only because his attorney pulled lightly at his sleeve.
Marcus asked permission to describe the relevant portions of the preserved recordings without publicly playing sensitive material until the court determined how it should be handled.
The judge agreed.
He opened a transcript prepared from one of the authenticated copies.
“The first recording is dated three years ago, shortly before controlling shares of Vance Meridian Group were transferred to Noraline Holdings.”
Nora had not sat down since Maribel entered.
She looked at Julian.
“You said that company was for a property investment.”
Julian ignored her.
Marcus read.
“In the recording, Mr.
Vance instructs Ms.
Torres to prepare transfer materials using Noraline Holdings and specifically states that moving the shares would place them beyond Mrs.
Vance’s reach if the marriage ended.”
Julian sprang up.
“That is taken out of context.”
The judge’s gaze hardened.
“What context would make that sentence appropriate?”
Julian opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Marcus continued.
“The same recording contains instructions to characterize company-funded payments for Miss Lang’s apartment as consulting expenses.”
Nora stepped backward from Julian.
“You told me those payments were distributions.”
“Nora.”
“No.
Don’t Nora me.
You put my name on this?”
“I protected you.”
“You used me.”
That was the first moment her confidence disappeared completely.
I did not feel sorry for her.
She had stood beside my husband in court wearing a victorious smile while he told me I would leave with nothing.
She had signed a document connected to an attempt to strip me of my legal independence.
But I recognized the expression on her face.
It was the expression of someone finally discovering that Julian’s promises were merely tools.
I had worn it once too.
Marcus moved to the next recording.
“This one is dated seven weeks before the divorce filing.”
Julian’s attorney whispered something to him.
Julian shook his head violently.
