CHAPTER 3: The Courtroom Surprise
Two weeks later, Howard filed first.
He expected Megan to panic.
Instead, she arrived at court carrying three binders.
One blue.
One black.
One red.
Howard smirked when he saw them.
The smirk disappeared an hour later.
The blue binder contained mortgage records.
The black binder contained savings account statements.
The red binder contained something far worse.
Emails.
Hundreds of them.
Messages between Howard and Derek discussing how to move money before Megan discovered it.
Messages instructing Derek to change the locks.
Messages referring to Megan as "a temporary problem."
The courtroom grew silent.
Even Howard's attorney looked uncomfortable.
Then the judge asked a simple question.
"Mrs. Carter, who contributed the majority of the funds in the joint account?"
Megan slid forward years of payroll records.
Every bonus.
Every deposit.
Every transfer.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Howard suddenly looked much older.
Derek looked terrified.
The judge ordered an immediate financial investigation.
The transferred funds were frozen.
The mortgage lockout was declared unlawful.
And temporary custody protections were granted to Megan.
Outside the courthouse, reporters surrounded Howard.
Questions flew from every direction.
"Did you take your daughter-in-law's vehicle?"
"Did you transfer her money?"
"Did you lock her and your grandson out of their home?"
For once in his life, Howard had no answers.
May you like
Only cameras.
And consequences.
