Chapter 12 - The Courtroom
The hearing lasted four hours.
Philippa's attorneys argued that Charles had been mentally incompetent.
Evelyn presented the hospital records.
The nurse testified.
The financial advisor testified.
The bank manager testified.
Then the forged signature was displayed.
Philippa's attorney tried to claim I had signed it.
Evelyn produced evidence that I had been in another state that day.
Then she produced the recording.
Philippa's own voice filled the courtroom.
The judge listened silently.
When the recording ended, Philippa's attorney stopped arguing.
But Evelyn wasn't finished.
She presented evidence showing millions transferred from Isla's trust into accounts controlled by Philippa.
The judge looked directly at Philippa.
“Do you deny these transactions?”
Philippa said nothing.
The judge asked again.
“Do you deny them?”
“No.”
The courtroom went silent.
“Then explain them.”
Philippa looked at me.
“They were family assets.”
Evelyn stood.
“They were legally held for a minor child.”
Philippa shook her head.
“She was never supposed to have them.”
There it was.
The sentence that destroyed her.
The judge leaned back.
“Why?”
Philippa's voice cracked.
“Because she's a girl.”
I looked at Isla.
She wasn't in the courtroom.
Thank God.
She didn't need to hear that.
The judge issued temporary orders protecting Isla's assets.
Then came the part no one expected.
A criminal referral.
Forgery.
Fraud.
Misappropriation of trust assets.
Financial identity misuse.
Philippa was taken into custody.
As she passed me, she stopped.
“You think you've won.”
I said nothing.
She leaned closer.
“You haven't.”
Then she whispered:
“Ask Alexander what happened to his father.”
My heart stopped.
“My father-in-law?”
May you like
Philippa smiled.
Then she was gone.
