Chapter 14 - The Betrayal Inside the Courtroom
The courtroom was nearly empty Friday morning.
Claire sat beside Naomi and Martin.
Julian sat across the aisle with two attorneys.
Diane sat behind him.
Paige did not attend.
Thomas was still in Switzerland.
Evelyn was not medically strong enough to appear.
The judge reviewed the capacity petition.
Julian’s lawyer painted Claire as unstable.
He described sudden accusations.
Family confrontations.
Refusal to cooperate with corporate decisions.
Then he introduced Thomas’s affidavit.
Claire watched Diane.
Diane did not look at her.
Martin stood.
“Your Honor, the affiant has formally withdrawn that statement.”
Julian’s lawyer smiled.
“We have received no valid withdrawal.”
Martin froze.
Claire turned.
“What?”
Martin whispered, “Thomas sent it yesterday.”
The judge checked the docket.
Nothing.
Claire’s stomach tightened.
Someone had intercepted it.
Then Julian’s lawyer called a surprise witness.
Paige entered.
Claire stared at her.
Paige had promised she would not testify.
She walked to the witness stand.
Julian looked almost relieved.
Claire felt betrayed all over again.
Paige was sworn in.
Julian’s lawyer asked about Claire’s behavior.
Paige hesitated.
Then she looked directly at Claire.
“My sister has been lied to for forty years.”
Julian’s lawyer stiffened.
“That was not my question.”
Paige continued.
“My mother lied about Claire’s identity.”
Diane stood.
“Paige.”
The judge ordered her to sit.
Paige’s hands trembled.
“My brother-in-law knew Claire controlled a trust worth more than six hundred million dollars.”
Julian’s attorney objected.
The judge allowed Paige to continue.
Paige looked at Julian.
“He asked me to help convince Claire to sign away voting control.”
Julian’s face turned white.
“And did you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Paige began crying.
“Because I was jealous of her.”
Claire stared at her.
Paige continued.
“And because I was sleeping with Julian.”
A murmur passed through the courtroom.
Diane closed her eyes.
Paige wiped her face.
“I submitted a false affidavit saying Claire was unstable.”
The judge leaned forward.
“Ms. Bennett, are you admitting that you knowingly filed false information with this court?”
“Yes.”
Julian’s attorney stood.
“I request a recess.”
The judge ignored him.
“Why are you changing your testimony?”
Paige looked at Claire.
“Because yesterday I learned Julian planned to leave the country after selling property he didn’t own.”
Julian rose.
“This is insane.”
The judge warned him.
Paige reached into her bag.
She removed Julian’s second phone.
“I also have messages showing the capacity petition was planned before Claire discovered anything.”
Naomi smiled for the first time all morning.
The hearing changed instantly.
The judge denied the emergency petition.
Then she ordered a temporary freeze on any sale involving Hale Trust assets.
Claire should have felt victorious.
She did not.
Because as they left the courtroom, Naomi received a call.
Her expression changed.
“What happened?”
Claire asked.
Naomi lowered the phone.
“Rosewood House.”
Claire’s heart stopped.
“What about it?”
“Evelyn is gone.”
Claire stared.
“What do you mean gone?”
“Someone checked her out this morning.”
“Who?”
Naomi’s face was grim.
“The paperwork says her legal guardian authorized it.”
May you like
Claire slowly turned toward Diane.
Diane was already walking toward the exit.
