Daniel's expression softened. "Discreetly."
I returned the phone with numb fingers.
Despite all my determination, despite all the documents I had gathered, Jason still knew where to push. Not because he was brilliant, but because he had studied me.
He knew that love was the place where he could still find me.
Recess ended too soon.
When we returned to the courtroom, Jason seemed calm again. Madison did not. Her eyes were red, and she kept twisting the bracelet around her wrist.
Judge Hayes had reviewed enough material from Daniel's presentation to be deeply displeased.
“In light of the allegations presented,” he declared, “this court orders the temporary freezing of the disputed marital assets, pending the forensic audit. Mr. Mitchell, you are prohibited from transferring, liquidating, or encumbering any corporate or personal assets related to this proceeding without court authorization.”
Jason's lawyer stood up. "Your Honor, that could interfere with ongoing business operations."
“Therefore, Mr. Mitchell should have taken that into account before submitting incomplete financial statements.”
The words weren't loud, but they resonated powerfully.
Jason's face turned red.
“The court will also refer the allegations concerning forged signatures and altered medical documentation to the appropriate authorities for review,” Judge Hayes continued. “This matter will be adjourned. Both parties are ordered to retain all records, both digital and physical, including, but not limited to, corporate files, medical correspondence, financial accounts, and communications relevant to the marriage or business.”
Her gaze fell on Jason.
"Am I explaining myself clearly?"
Jason forced a smile.
“Perfectly, Your Honor.”
But her eyes met mine, and I saw what was hidden behind her smile.
No fear.
Calculation.
That scared me even more.
After the court session adjourned, the corridor became a tunnel of questions.
“Mrs. Mitchell, when did you obtain the records?”
Is it true that you designed the company's flagship product?
“Mr. Mitchell, do you deny the accusations?”
“Madison, did you know about the asset transfers?”
Daniel led me through the crowd without answering. I buttoned my coat again, but I no longer felt hidden inside. I felt like someone emerging from a room that had been closed for years, blinking at the daylight, unsure but grateful that the door had opened.
Outside the courthouse, the winter sunlight reflected off the steps. The air smelled of rain and traffic.
Priya, Daniel's assistant, was waiting next to a dark sedan.
"Clara is fine," he said before I could ask. "An undercover officer spoke with the school principal. There was no incident. Your sister is inside teaching."
My knees buckled so suddenly that Daniel tried to grab my arm.
I nodded, swallowing hard. "Thank you."
Priya handed Daniel a tablet. "Also, I found something in the Crown Ridge Archives. Whitaker Holdings has an account there, active for eleven years. Payments stopped six months ago and resumed last week."
"Last week?" Daniel repeated.
“Yes. And yesterday afternoon there was an access request.”
The air seemed to grow thin.
Jason had gone there yesterday.
Before the hearing.
He expected me to stay quiet, but he had prepared himself anyway.
"Can we get a court order?" I asked.
Daniel's mouth tightened. "We can request it, but it might take a while unless we can demonstrate an immediate risk of destruction."
Priya looked at me. “There’s more. The account has two authorized users.”
"Jason and Madison?" I asked.
She shook her head.
“Jason Mitchell and Evelyn Mitchell.”
Jason's mother.
For a moment, the courthouse, the journalists, the traffic, everything faded away at the memory of Evelyn's perfume.
White gardenia and powder.
