Part 3: Monday Morning
By eight o'clock Monday morning, the marble corridors of the Suffolk County Courthouse were already crowded.
Reporters stood outside the entrance.
Business journalists whispered into microphones.
Employees from Montgomery Holdings arrived in quiet groups, avoiding the cameras whenever possible.
Three days earlier they had expected headlines about one of Boston's most lavish weddings.
Instead, every newspaper carried a different story.
MONTGOMERY HEIRESS SEEKS EMERGENCY COURT REVIEW OF CORPORATE CONTROL.
The wedding had disappeared from the front page.
The courtroom had replaced it.
I stepped out of the elevator wearing a navy maternity dress and a long cream-colored coat.
My pregnancy was impossible to hide now.
My son kicked gently as if reminding me to slow down.
Vivian immediately noticed.
"How are you feeling?"
"A little nervous."
"I was asking about your blood pressure."
I laughed quietly.
"It has been stable."
"Good."
"Let's keep it that way."
Unlike Wells, I hadn't come to court to win a performance.
I had come to answer questions.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Across the hallway, Wells arrived with Richard Coleman and two additional attorneys carrying several bankers' boxes.
He looked composed.
Expensive charcoal suit.
Perfect tie.
Confident smile.
The image of a successful executive.
Camille wasn't with him.
Perhaps someone had decided another public appearance would create more problems than it solved.
Our eyes met briefly.
He walked toward me.
"Evelyn."
"Wells."
"You've made this unnecessarily public."
I looked around the courthouse.
"You invited hundreds of people to a wedding before our divorce was finalized."
"I'm here because the court scheduled a hearing."
He sighed.
"You always know how to twist things."
"No."
"I've simply started keeping records."
For a brief second, something flickered across his face.
Not anger.
Concern.
The courtroom doors opened.
"Bennett versus Bennett," the clerk announced.
"Counsel, please enter."
The courtroom itself felt quiet.
Orderly.
Nothing like the emotional chaos people imagined from television dramas.
The judge entered.
Everyone stood.
After the formal introductions, the hearing began.
Vivian rose first.
"Your Honor, today's hearing concerns temporary corporate governance, preservation of assets, and administration during pending divorce proceedings."
The judge nodded.
"I've reviewed the preliminary filings."
"Proceed."
Vivian spoke calmly.
She didn't accuse.
She didn't exaggerate.
She simply outlined the timeline.
My hospitalization.
The proposed management agreement.
The pending divorce.
Questions regarding corporate authority.
Requests to preserve business records while litigation continued.
Every statement was supported by documents already filed with the court.
When she finished, Richard Coleman stood.
"Your Honor, Mr. Bennett believes continuity of management is essential for Montgomery Holdings."
He argued that sudden changes could disrupt employees, investors, and ongoing contracts.
His presentation was equally professional.
No personal attacks.
Only legal arguments.
The judge listened patiently.
Then asked a single question.
"Who currently possesses authority under the company's governing documents?"
Silence followed.
Richard answered carefully.
"The ownership structure is... somewhat complex."
Vivian smiled politely.
"It is."
She handed a bound exhibit to the clerk.
"Which is why we've included certified copies of the relevant trust and governance documents."
The judge spent several minutes reviewing the materials.
Finally, she looked up.
"These documents indicate multiple parties may hold significant interests."
Vivian nodded.
"That is our position, Your Honor."
Richard didn't disagree.
Instead, he requested additional time to review newly produced records.
The judge considered both requests.
"This court is not deciding ultimate ownership today."
She looked toward both legal teams.
"My immediate concern is preserving the status quo until the underlying issues can be resolved."
Both attorneys nodded.
After a short recess, the judge announced several temporary orders.
Corporate records were to be preserved.
Certain major transactions required additional oversight until further review.
Both parties were instructed to cooperate with discovery.
No dramatic speeches.
No declarations of victory.
Simply careful legal management while the facts were examined.
Outside the courtroom, reporters rushed forward.
"Mrs. Bennett!"
"Did you win?"
I smiled politely.
"The case is ongoing."
"No further comment."
Vivian gently guided me toward the elevator.
"Never argue your case in the hallway."
"I know."
"You'd be surprised how many clients forget."
As the elevator doors closed, I finally exhaled.
"Was that... good?"
Vivian nodded.
"It was productive."
"There's a difference."
"What happens now?"
"Discovery."
She smiled knowingly.
"And discovery is where complicated stories usually become much clearer."
That afternoon, I returned to my father's estate.
He was sitting in the library overlooking the gardens.
"How did court go?"
"As expected."
He closed the book he was reading.
"That's usually a good sign."
I sat beside him.
"I thought I'd feel relieved."
"And?"
"I mostly feel tired."
He nodded.
"Litigation isn't a single battle."
"It's a long journey."
Before dinner, my phone buzzed.
The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number.
"Mrs. Bennett?"
"Yes."
"My name is Hannah."
"I work in Montgomery Holdings' executive office."
I exchanged a quick glance with my father.
"What can I do for you?"
There was a long pause.
Then Hannah whispered,
"I think there are company records you need to know about."
My heartbeat slowed.
Not from fear.
From focus.
"I won't ask you to tell me anything you're uncomfortable sharing."
"I just..."
Her voice trembled.
"I don't think everything is where it's supposed to be anymore."
Outside the library windows, rain began falling across the gardens.
Inside, I reached for a notebook.
May you like
Because something told me...
Monday's hearing had only been the beginning.
