The judge removed her glasses.
“Mr.
Vale, continue.”
Marcus explained that Brent had approached his company eighteen months earlier with plans for a series of luxury developments.
He had presented himself as an experienced developer with access to private capital.
Vale Meridian agreed to fund the projects in stages, but only under strict controls.
Within six months, Brent began missing construction targets.
Then money started moving.
Corporate funds paid for the navy blazer he wore in court.
They paid the townhouse lease, the cars Vanessa claimed were part of her stable new household, restaurant bills, furniture, vacations, and the cream suit she was wearing.
Vanessa looked down at it as if the fabric had changed against her skin.
Marcus’s compliance officers discovered that Brent was using photographs of the townhouse in investor presentations, describing it as a completed model residence.
At the same time, Vanessa was using the same property in court filings as proof that Sophie would have a permanent home.
It was neither a completed model residence nor a permanent home.
It was collateral attached to a company already in default.
“We issued a notice of acceleration yesterday,” Marcus said.
“Unless the default is cured, the lease terminates and the property returns to our control.”
“Yesterday?” Vanessa whispered.
Brent finally leaned toward her.
“I was handling it.”
“With my house?”
“Keep your voice down.”
The cruelty in his tone was familiar.
I had heard Vanessa use the same tone with me for the last year of our marriage.
Now she was hearing it from the man she had chosen as proof that she was moving upward.
Judge Harlan looked at the personal guarantee again.
“Mrs.
Cole, why did you pledge property involved in an active divorce proceeding?”
Vanessa took a breath that shook on the way in.
“Brent said it was temporary.
He said the guarantee would never be used.”
“Did you tell him the property was subject to this court’s order?”
“He knew we were divorcing.”
“That was not my question.”
Vanessa’s eyes dropped.
“Yes.”
Brent sat forward.
“She told me the settlement was finished.”
Vanessa turned on him.
“You prepared the list.”
Malcolm put both hands on the table.
“I need to advise both individuals not to make further statements.”
“You represent Mrs.
Cole,” Judge Harlan said.
“You do not represent Mr.
Maddox.”
Brent’s confidence finally disappeared.
“Then I want an attorney.”
“You are free to obtain one,” the judge said.
“You are also free to leave.
But you may be subpoenaed regarding statements submitted to this court.”
He looked toward the doors.
Vanessa grabbed his sleeve.
“Don’t you dare.”
He pulled his arm away.
That small movement told her more than anything Marcus had said.
