Chapter 8 - The Falling Empire
"Mr. Brooks," the judge said sternly, leaning forward over her bench. "Not only is your petition for custody dismissed with prejudice, but I am also referring this matter to the District Attorney's office for investigation into perjury, court fraud, and witness tampering."
The courtroom erupted into commotion. Reporters began typing furiously on their laptops as David stood frozen at the podium, surrounded by flashing cameras capturing his ultimate disgrace.
"In addition," the judge continued, "under state family law, because paternity has been established by your own admission, you are hereby ordered to pay retroactive child support for three children spanning six years, based on your reported income during those periods. The court freezes your business accounts immediately until this debt is settled."
David felt as though the air had been sucked out of his lungs. The retroactive child support alone totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars—money he simply did not have now that his investors had abandoned him.
As the judge adjourned the session, David turned furiously toward Emily, who was calmly collecting her papers alongside Julian.
"You ruined me!" David yelled, breaking away from his lawyer and lunging toward the defense table. "You stole everything from me!"
Bailiffs instantly intercepted David, forcing him down against the hardwood floor and snapping handcuffs around his wrists for contempt of court and attempted assault.
May you like
Emily walked past him, stopping for just a moment to look down at the man who had once treated her like trash.
"I didn't ruin you, David," Emily said quietly, her voice full of pity rather than hatred. "Your own greed and arrogance did that. I spent six years building a life out of love. You spent six years building a life out of pride. Today, both of us simply got what we built."
