Chapter 7 - The Trial of Whittington County
Six months later.
The Mecklenburg County Courthouse was packed to capacity with press, real estate magnates, and curious onlookers. The trial of The State of North Carolina v. Wade Marlowe had become the biggest high-society scandal of the decade.
Wade sat at the defense table. In six months, he had aged ten years. His polished, handsome looks were gone; his hair was thinned and greasy, his suit sagged over his sunken shoulders, and his hands trembled uncontrollably. Beside him sat a tired, overworked public defender who looked like he wished he were anywhere else in the world.
Sitting in the third row of the gallery was Lorraine Carrington, dressed in a faded, wrinkled coat, her eyes swollen from months of crying. She looked like a shadow of the arrogant woman who had once strutted through Oakridge Manor.
The double doors at the back of the courtroom swung open.
A collective hush fell over the room.
Celeste walked in, looking striking and radiant. She wore a tailored charcoal wool coat over a navy silk dress. Her dark hair was styled into an intricate braid, and her posture was that of a queen entering her court. Walking beside her was Maya Vance and a team of four pristine corporate litigation attorneys.
Celeste didn't even look toward the defense table as she took her seat in the front row reserved for the prosecution’s star witness.
The judge slammed his gavel. "Court is now in session."
The trial was swift and brutal.
The District Attorney presented a mountain of undisputed evidence: bank records showing millions transferred fraudulently, forged signatures on construction draws, illegal lease transfers, and photographic evidence of stolen corporate intellectual property.
When Celeste took the witness stand, the entire courtroom leaned forward.
"Mrs. Montgomery," the prosecutor asked, "did you ever grant the defendant, Wade Marlowe, permission to use your personal trust assets to back his private loans?"
"Never," Celeste said, her voice clear, calm, and resonant. "I created Vanguard Holdings to fund legitimate architectural design projects. I allowed my husband to act as the managing face of Marlowe Development because he expressed a desire to lead. However, I explicitly retained ultimate authority over all land titles, capital reserves, and master design copyrights."
"And did the defendant know that you were the ultimate owner of Oakridge Manor?"
"He knew that the estate was held by Vanguard," Celeste answered, her eyes briefly drifting toward Wade, whose head was bowed low in shame. "He chose to convince himself that he owned it because his pride could not accept that his wife was the architect of his success."
The prosecutor turned to the jury. "The defense claims that Mrs. Montgomery was merely a passive spouse who abandoned her husband. But the records show that on the day she was evicted—five days after an emergency C-section—she was forced out by the defendant and his accomplice so they could host potential investors using her stolen blueprints."
The public defender had no questions for cross-examination. There was nothing to defend. The paper trail was absolute.
After less than forty-five minutes of deliberation, the jury returned to the courtroom.
"Will the defendant please stand," the judge commanded.
Wade stood up, his knees shaking so violently his public defender had to steady him by the elbow.
"On count one, grand larceny—Guilty. On count two, corporate fraud—Guilty. On count three, illegal embezzlement of state funds—Guilty. On count four, criminal forgery—Guilty."
The judge looked down at Wade over his reading glasses, his expression stern and unforgiving.
"Mr. Marlowe, you displayed an astounding degree of arrogance, cruelty, and deceit. You abandoned your wife and newborn child in their most vulnerable hour, driven by unchecked greed and vanity. This court sees no mitigating circumstances."
The judge slammed his gavel down hard.
"I sentence you to sixteen years in the North Carolina State Penitentiary, without the possibility of parole for the first ten years. Furthermore, a permanent order of protection is issued: you are barred from approaching or contacting Celeste Montgomery or Ivy Montgomery for the remainder of your natural life. Court is adjourned."
Wade collapsed into his chair, sobbing uncontrollably as the bailiffs snapped heavy iron chains around his waist and ankles.
May you like
Lorraine screamed from the gallery, trying to rush forward, but security guards caught her and forcibly ushered her out of the courtroom into the cold rain outside.
Celeste stood up smoothly, buttoned her coat, and walked out of the courtroom without looking back once.
