Public spectacle.
There it was again.
The phrase rich men use when the women they hurt stop bleeding quietly.
Claire smiled.
It was not a friendly smile.
“Your Honor, Mr. Vale filed first.”
Bennett blinked.
Claire continued, “He filed under seal, requested emergency exclusive use of the marital residence, attempted to restrict Mrs. Vale from discussing her own pregnancy, and submitted a proposed order giving him approval rights over her medical providers.”
Judge Whitmore looked up.
“Approval rights?”
Claire slid a copy across the table to the clerk.
The clerk carried it to the bench.
My father read.
The courtroom went quiet again.
Marcus stared at me.
This time, there was no warning in his eyes.
Only calculation.
How much did she keep?
How much does she know?
What did I miss?
That was the first mini-payoff.
Not a victory.
Not yet.
Just the pleasure of watching a man realize the floor beneath him was not marble.
