“It appears you failed to disclose over twelve million dollars held in offshore accounts,” the judge continued.

“My client was unaware of the restructuring of those specific entities, Your Honor,” Daniel’s attorney stammered.

“The signature on the Panamanian registry is your client’s, counselor,” Judge Vance countered cold-faced.

She closed the folder with a sharp snap that made Daniel flinch.

“The court finds that the original divorce settlement was entered into under gross fraudulent misrepresentation,” the judge declared.

She looked directly at me, her expression softening only slightly.

“The original settlement is hereby voided.”

I breathed in slowly, holding the edge of the wooden table to keep my hands steady.

“Regarding custody,” Judge Vance said, “the court finds that the father’s actions, including the dissipation of marital assets and ongoing legal instability, do not support a joint custody arrangement.”

She cleared her throat.

“Sole legal and physical custody of the minor children, Lily and Ethan, is awarded to the mother, Clara Mercer.”

A quiet gasp escaped from Patricia in the gallery, but the judge ignored it.