Chapter 4 - The Financial Strike
On Monday morning, while Lily was finally discharged and resting in a safe, undisclosed hotel room I had booked, I went to see Victoria Thorne.
Victoria was the most feared, ruthless divorce attorney in the state. She didn't just win cases; she destroyed her opponents.
"I don't just want a divorce, Victoria," I said, sliding the police report, the hospital records, and photos of my bruised face across her mahogany desk. "I want sole custody. And I want to ensure he can never use his wealth to terrorize us again."
Victoria adjusted her glasses, reviewing the documents with a predatory smile.
"The domestic violence charge gives us leverage," Victoria said. "But we need to hit him where it actually hurts. His wallet. Are your names both on the primary accounts?"
"Yes."
"Good. We are filing an emergency ex parte order for a temporary restraining order, which will grant you exclusive use of the family home. Simultaneously, I am legally withdrawing exactly fifty percent of all liquid assets from the joint accounts and placing them in an escrow trust. He won't have a dime of your shared wealth to use against you in court."
"Do it," I said.
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By 2:00 PM, a judge signed the restraining order. By 3:00 PM, Julian’s primary checking, savings, and investment accounts were frozen, halved, and locked.
Julian was released on bail at 4:00 PM. He walked out of the courthouse expecting to hire a PR firm and a defense team. Instead, his debit card was declined before he could even buy a coffee.
