Chapter 9
+25 BONUS
Before the court session, Lillian and Mike showed up at the courthouse and accosted Audrey, They hadn’t been able to see her before this, but their opportunity came when she insisted on coming to court with me.
“You entered into a mature and consensual relationship with Jerome! How much did Harley pay you to turn on him like this?”
I tried to shield Audrey, but she nudged me aside. Despite the trepidation on her face, she bit out icily, “Harley did not pay me to do this. She helped me. And if you ask me, Jerome was a scumbag who deserves everything he’s got coming for him!”
“You little-“When Lilian and Mike realized they wouldn’t get anywhere by playing tough, they softened up. “Young lady, you are carrying Jerome’s child. Do you want the baby to have a criminal for a father?”
“Hold up,” I interjected, eyeing the pair oddly. “Haven’t you seen Jerome after he was taken in by the cops? Or did he fail to mention this important tidbit? Audrey isn’t carrying his child.”
Lillian and Mike froze, then flew into a rage. “How dare you curse my grandchild like that? You’re just jealous of him because you’re barren!”
I scoffed as I fixed a venomous look at the foolish couple. I fished the health report out of my purse and tossed it at them. “Your son was diagnosed with azoospermia five years ago! Congratulations to the end of the Maslow bloodline!”
As Lillian and Mike went still with shock, I brushed past them and headed into the courthouse.
It wasn’t hard to allege a breakdown of marriage before the judge after Audrey provided evidence of her affair with Jerome, which was the promissory note Jerome had written her. When it came to matrimonial assets, my dad had had a prenuptial agreement drawn up. He’d also drawn up gift declarations for all the times I asked for money from him under Jerome’s instruction. In other words, Jerome was getting nothing out of this divorce. Only then did I realize why Jerome had insisted on tying me down with the child.
Dad had never trusted Jerome. In his words, he claimed my divorce would “add ten years” to his lifespan.
When the court session was over, Jerome glowered at Audrey and me with rage. “Go to hell, you bitches! You thought I was a douchebag, right, Harley? Did you forget how you used to chase after me like a dog five years ago? You will never get rid of me no matter how hard you try!”
He then turned his hateful gaze on Audrey. “And you, Audrey! You’re just a poor wench
Chapter 9
from the sticks! You think Harley is helping you? You could have had a life of luxury if you’d listened to me!
+25 BONUS
“But you chose to side with Harley instead! So what if you’ve proven yourself as the victim? Your videos will be posted all over the internet after the court hearing! You’ll be called a whore everywhere you go!”
Jerome was like a rabid dog as he let out a torrent of abuse.
I especially enjoyed the manic look in his bloodshot eyes and the throbbing vein near his temple. Seeing him near–bursting with rage gave me an inexplicable thrill. “So what? I have no qualms with admitting to loving you in the past. I don’t think it’s anything to regret or be ashamed of.
“I don’t care about your true colors, either. You’re as insignificant as a crushed–up soda can on the sidewalk.
“And for your information, Audrey has nothing to worry about. Ever heard of the protection of private personal information and evidence, dimwit?”
Audrey sputtered behind me. “Come on, Harley. He’ll be thrown behind bars soon, anyway, and there’s still plenty to do at the company.”
I was about to turn and leave when I felt the urge to add salt to injury. I spat over my shoulder, “Have you seen the health report, Jerome? It seems your rotten bloodline will end with you.”
The greatest surprise on the day of the court hearing was when three other young ladies bravely stepped forward to testify against Jerome, proving Audrey was not the only victim. They said with steel in their voice, “Why should we hide in the shadows?”
The company had taken quite a hit after the incident, but it marked a season of change. Audrey and I signed a long–running deal that would pay her enough to put her kid through university.
Chapter 10-
