He Chose Mistress, I Chose Empire novel · Chapter 16 of 32

Chapter 16: Admission

The hearing was Friday morning in a small courtroom on the sixth floor.

Brantley sat at the other table with his lawyer, in a gray suit, freshly shaved again.

Opaline sat in the first row behind him in pale yellow, her purse on her knees.

I had my lawyer, Wilma, and Jubal in his cousin's jacket.

The judge was a heavy, tired man with half-glasses who had clearly read every page.

"Mr. Talmadge asks me to stop a lawful lien sale," he said. "On the grounds that the contents are marital property. Counsel, what's in the unit?"

Brantley's lawyer stood.

"Household goods, Your Honor. And certain artwork acquired during the marriage."

"Artwork."

"Yes, Your Honor."

My lawyer stood up beside me with one sheet of paper.

"Your Honor, this is Mr. Talmadge's sworn financial affidavit, filed with his petition."

She handed it up.

The judge read it. He turned the page. He read it again.

Then he took off his half-glasses.

"Mr. Talmadge. Stand up, please."

Brantley stood.

"Your affidavit lists six oil paintings bought during the marriage. Landscapes. And I'm reading your own sworn words. Sold in 2025. Proceeds spent on business expenses."

"Your Honor, I..."

"Is the artwork in Unit 114 those six paintings?"

Brantley's lawyer leaned over and whispered in his ear.

Brantley straightened his cuffs.

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