PART 14: THE ZONING LOCKOUT
PART 14: THE ZONING LOCKOUT
"Effective immediately," Judge Thornton announced, her gavel striking the wooden block with a sharp, final crack. "This court is denying the petition for an emergency injunction."
She signed a document with a heavy, decisive stroke of her pen.
"Furthermore, under the provisions of the regional compliance audit, I am issuing an immediate asset forfeiture order against the Delaware shell corporation," the judge stated. "The utility easements for the Maple Grove district are officially transferred into the city's master registry, under the sole management of the Bennett estate."
Emma sank back into her chair, her manicured fingers clutching her designer purse so tightly her knuckles turned white.
She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of rage and desperate pleading.
"Jacob, please," she whispered across the aisle. "I did it for our future. The company was supposed to be ours."
"Some people say ours when they mean mine, Emma," I said, looking down at her without an ounce of pity.
I turned my back on her and walked out of the courtroom, leaving her to face the two plainclothes detectives who were already waiting near the exit doors.
Outside, the bright Boston sunshine was brilliant, warming the concrete paths and the stone steps of the courthouse.
Marcus Bell followed me out, holding the newly updated property deeds.
May you like
"The northern baseline is secure, Mr. Bennett," Marcus said with a genuine, proud smile. "The construction crews are already laying the safety fences around the playground."
"Let's go home, Marcus," I said, adjusting the lapels of my winter coat. "Lily is waiting."
