Though given the circumstances, perhaps an economical one. Have you reached a decision regarding the defendant's counter motion? Richard took a deep breath. He looked at Catherine. He needed to make eye contact.

He needed to find that soft spot in her heart, the one he had exploited a thousand times before. Kate, he said, ignoring the judge. Catherine, please. Catherine didn't turn. She stared straight ahead at the empty jewelry box.

We were married for 10 years, Richard pleaded, his voice taking on a desperate wheedling tone. We had good times. Remember Paris? Remember the house in the Hamptons when we first bought it? You can't just let your father destroy me.

I built that company. Maybe he gave the money, fine, but I put in the hours. I made the deals. Doesn't that count for anything? Silas Thorn turned around from the window.

You made deals with my leverage, Richard. A monkey could trade bananas if he owned the whole plantation. I am speaking to my wife, Richard snapped, a flash of his old anger surfacing. Then speak to Silas said, gesturing to Catherine, "But do not expect the woman you walked in here with. That woman is gone. " Catherine slowly turned her head.

For the first time all day, her expression wasn't blank. It was filled with a pity so deep it felt like a slap in the face. "You're right, Richard. " she said softly. "You did put in the hours. You were always working.

Or at least, that's what you told me. " She reached into her handbag, a modest leather tote, and pulled out a stack of photographs. She slid them across the table. They fanned out across the dark wood. They weren't financial documents. They were photos of Richard.

Richard at a restaurant with a blonde. Richard on a yacht with a brunette. Richard entering a hotel in Miami with the very Instagram model he had bragged about the night before. "I knew. " Catherine said, her voice trembling slightly. "I knew about Tiffany.

I knew about the others. I knew about the offshore accounts you thought were hidden. " Richard stared at the photos. "If you knew, why did you stay? " "Because I kept hoping. " Catherine said, tears finally welling in her eyes. "I kept hoping that the man I met in the flower shop was still in there somewhere. The man who bought me a coffee and listened to me talk about hydrangeas for an hour.

I thought the money had just sickened you. I thought if I loved you enough, I could cure you. " She wiped a tear away with a gloved hand. "But yesterday. " she continued, her voice hardening, "When you handed me those divorce papers, you were smiling. You looked so happy to hurt me. And that's when I realized you aren't sick, Richard.

You're just cruel. " She looked up at the judge. "Your honor, I accept the enforcement of clause 19. I want the dissolution of the marriage immediately. And I want the assets transferred as per the contract. " Judge Pendleton nodded solemnly. "Mr.

Sterling, do you have any legal basis to contest the evidence provided by Mr. Finch regarding the source of your capital? " Richard looked at the red ledger sitting on the defense table. He looked at the photos of his affairs. He looked at the empty chair where his lawyer used to be. "No. " Richard whispered.

"Speak up, Mr. Sterling. " The judge commanded. "No. " Richard shouted, his voice breaking. "No, I don't. " "Very well. " Judge Pendleton banged his gavel. It sounded like a gunshot.

"Judgment is granted in favor of the defendant, Catherine Blackwood-Thorn. Per the prenuptial agreement, specifically clause 19, the court finds that all assets held by Sterling Dynamics, as well as all personal real estate and liquid holdings acquired during the marriage, are the fruit of the poisoned tree. Ownership reverts to the originating trust. " The judge signed a paper with a flourish. "Effective immediately, Mr. Sterling, you are ordered to vacate the premises of Sterling Dynamics and the penthouse apartment at 432 Park Avenue.

You have 24 hours to remove personal effects. Personal effects are defined strictly as clothing and toiletries. No electronics, no jewelry, no art. " Silas Thorn stepped forward. He walked to the center of the room, standing directly in front of Richard. The old man towered over him, despite the cane.

"There is one more thing," Silas said. The judge paused. "Mr. Thorne? " "The name," Silas said. "The company is called Sterling Dynamics.

It bears his name. My daughter's trust paid for the trucks, the warehouses, and the fuel. I will not have my family's capital associated with his name any longer. " Silas looked at Richard. "As part of the settlement," Silas said, "you will sign a public statement admitting that your success was not self-made. You will admit that you were a steward of Thorne Capital, and you will resign as CEO, appointing Catherine as the interim chairwoman. " "I I can't do that," Richard stammered.

"My reputation, it's all I have left. " "You have no reputation," Silas said coldly. "The SEC press release went out 10 minutes ago. Your stock has dropped 40% since we returned from recess. By tomorrow morning, Sterling will be synonymous with fraud. If you sign the statement, I will ask the board not to pursue civil damages against you personally for the mismanagement of funds.

If you don't sign, I will spend the rest of my life ensuring you never even manage a shift at a fast food restaurant. " Richard looked at the pen Silas held out. It was a cheap plastic Bic pen, a deliberate insult compared to the Montblanc Richard usually used. Richard's hand shook as he took it. He felt the eyes of the room on him. The bailiff, the court reporter, the clerk, they were all watching the king of logistics crumble into dust.

He bent over the paper Mr. Finch slid in front of him. "I, Richard Sterling, acknowledge. " He signed. The signature was jagged, weak. "Done. " Richard whispered.

"Are you happy? " Silas snatched the paper away. "Happiness has nothing to do with it. This is pest control. " Catherine stood up. She gathered her purse. She didn't look at Richard.