Chapter 5 - The Execution
Judge Sloan didn't just strike Blake's filings from the record. She incinerated them.
"Given the evidence of severe financial fraud and perjury presented before this court," Judge Sloan announced, her voice dripping with disgust, "I am immediately suspending these divorce proceedings. I am granting Mrs. Donnelly an emergency restraining order and freezing all of Mr. Donnelly's assets, as well as the assets of Judith Keene, Taryn Dane, and Russell Dane, pending federal indictments."
She looked directly at Blake. "I am also forwarding a transcript of today's hearing to the state bar association. You're done practicing law in North Carolina, Mr. Donnelly."
The bailiffs moved in immediately, instructed by the judge to detain Blake and my family for questioning by the federal authorities waiting in the hall.
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As they slapped handcuffs on the man who had promised to protect me, Blake looked back at me, his eyes wide and pleading. My mother was sobbing uncontrollably, and Taryn was screaming at Russell, blaming him for the offshore accounts.
I didn't shed a single tear. I calmly picked up my briefcase, took my daughter's hand, and walked out of the courtroom. The $13 million empire I had built with my own blood, sweat, and tears was safe. And the people who had tried to steal it from me were exactly where they belonged: completely, utterly ruined.
