Chapter 554 - 150 Empty Handed Revenge

Chapter 554: Chapter 150 Empty Handed Revenge

Claire’s POV

Those three hadn’t bothered me since returning from the Thorne estate, which suited me perfectly. I’d expected them to confront me about what I did to that little brat Lila, but the silence was preferable. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Today marked the divorce hearing, my long-awaited opportunity to finally rid myself of Nathaniel while securing half the Sullivan family assets he controlled. I wasn’t some naive fool when we married into this organization—I had insisted on shared financial interests. Nathaniel initially wanted to keep the family business separate from our personal arrangement, but a dramatic scene and threats regarding his position as Lila’s guardian quickly changed his mind. Still grieving over his other daughter, he caved to my demands without resistance. His precious other daughter...

If he only knew the truth about what really happened to her...

I arrived at the private courthouse right on schedule. These weren’t ordinary family court proceedings—the Sullivan family had arrangements with certain judges who understood the delicate nature of our business dealings. Nathaniel was already there, his face contorting with disgust when he spotted me. I ignored his contemptuous glare. The judge called us into his chambers, and we took our seats across from each other. When asked about the possibility of reconciliation, we both answered with a resounding "no." Nathaniel barely acknowledged my presence. I wanted to laugh in his pathetic face but restrained myself. The judge proceeded to the division of assets, and Nathaniel’s attorney presented the documents listing our shared holdings in the family operations.

"Very well, according to these documents, Nathaniel, you control the safe house where Claire resides, a vehicle, and a substantial amount in legitimate accounts. And Claire owns a vehicle. The art gallery and real estate holdings appear to be held separately. How would you like to proceed with the division? Will it be amicable?" the judge asked, reviewing the paperwork with practiced discretion.

"Wait just a minute!" I interrupted, sensing a scheme. "He also controls the dairy farm operation and the money laundering network. He’s hiding family assets."

Nathaniel turned to face me with a smug expression. "Actually, I don’t, Claire. The farm operation, the laundering network, and everything else belonged to my father. His testament has been executed without contest. Everything belongs to Beckett and Lila according to Sullivan family law."

"What are you talking about? I was present when the family council read the will. Your father left you a significant portion of everything," I protested as Nathaniel chuckled.

The judge cleared his throat. "Mrs. Claire Ward Sullivan, according to the documentation Mr. Nathaniel Sullivan has provided, including the sealed family testament, he indeed controls nothing beyond the safe house, vehicle, and legitimate account."

Nathaniel leaned forward. "You see, Claire, the old man specified that certain portions of the testament would only be revealed after Lila reached maturity, and only in the presence of his true heirs—Beckett, Lila, and myself as guardian. Did that detail slip your mind?"

Damn! I had forgotten about that clause. But could the old patriarch have revoked what he’d already granted? Was such manipulation possible even in death?

"But you had management rights in the operations," I argued desperately.

"Ah, that. I transferred those rights to Beckett and Lila right after the testament reading. It made no sense for me to retain a small portion of their inheritance. Besides, I needed funds to finance your extravagant lifestyle while maintaining our cover. That’s where the money in the legitimate account came from—what remains after liquidating my management stake. Beyond that, I live on my security consultant salary, which covers our expenses and your luxuries, which have already consumed a significant portion of the proceeds."

I turned to my attorney, who was examining the documents Nathaniel’s lawyer had submitted with growing concern.

"Yes, Claire, that’s accurate," my attorney confirmed. "Nathaniel renounced his management position in favor of the true heirs and liquidated his minimal stake in the family operations. Everything appears properly documented and legally binding within family law."

"But we’re married! I should have approved these decisions," I protested loudly.

"Not for renouncing guardianship rights. As for liquidating his operational stake, you granted him power of attorney when you joined the family, permitting him to manage business affairs, including asset transfers," my attorney reminded me. I had signed that document to avoid operational headaches, never imagining he could liquidate his position.

"What did you say?" I glared at Nathaniel with rage boiling inside me. "You can’t do this!"

"I can and I did because it was within my authority. It was the old man’s wish, and I honored the family tradition," Nathaniel replied confidently.

I turned desperately to my attorney. "This can’t be right. There must be something we can do to invalidate this."

"Unfortunately, there isn’t, Claire. The transaction is legally binding and was executed some time ago, when Nathaniel had no intention of leaving the family structure," my attorney explained.

The judge nodded. "That’s correct. Everything appears to be in order and lawfully executed within our jurisdiction. There’s nothing to be done. Let’s focus on dividing the remaining assets."

"You shouldn’t have done this, Nathaniel. What about Justin? Did you forget he’s still part of this family?" I wasn’t backing down.

"Ah, Justin." Nathaniel sighed. "It’s time for honesty, Claire. I know Justin isn’t blood. My attorney has filed to terminate my guardianship responsibilities. That boy never respected the family structure anyway—no loyalty, no respect for our ways."

"What are you talking about?" I was stunned.

How did Nathaniel discover Justin’s true parentage? Only two people knew the truth—one was eliminated long ago, and the other, Connor, despised Nathaniel and would never reveal this information, especially since he never acknowledged the child’s existence.

"I’m referring to your arrangement with Connor. Don’t bother denying it—I have documentation, which is already in the case file," Nathaniel stated smugly.

The judge interjected, "The paternity investigation has reached my desk, Nathaniel. I’ve ordered Justin to appear at two private facilities for testing. Once results arrive, I’ll issue my ruling. Now, back to dividing assets."

"I want everything!" I demanded without hesitation. "Since he liquidated our family assets without consulting me, I deserve everything that remains."

"That’s not how this works, Claire," the judge explained. "The safe house’s value exceeds the combined worth of the vehicle and legitimate account. You also possess a vehicle worth more than Nathaniel’s. If you can’t reach an agreement, I’ll order everything liquidated and split the proceeds equally."

"Your Honor, I’m willing to give her the safe house and one vehicle, but I want to keep my car and the money," Nathaniel offered.

My attorney pulled me aside, whispering that this was a generous offer, considering the safe house’s substantial value and the complications of our family connections.

"Fine, I’ll take the house and my car. You can keep your old vehicle and the money," I conceded reluctantly. "And how much ongoing support will I receive?"

Nathaniel’s attorney spoke firmly. "Your Honor, my client refuses to pay ongoing support. They have no minor children under their joint guardianship, and Justin, who isn’t even my client’s responsibility, lives with his mother and doesn’t contribute to family operations. As for Lila, she’s independent and working within the organization. Claire is perfectly capable of supporting herself through legitimate means. Let’s not overlook her breach of family loyalty."

The judge nodded in agreement.

"No, absolutely not!" I lost my composure entirely. "I’ve been part of this family structure for many years! During that time, I never needed legitimate employment, and I refuse to—"

"This isn’t about what you’re willing to do!" the judge interrupted sharply. "It’s about what our arrangements mandate, and Nathaniel is within his rights. Therefore, he isn’t required to provide ongoing support."

"How will I maintain my position?" I looked at Nathaniel desperately.

"Like everyone else outside the family, Claire—through legitimate work!" Nathaniel laughed.

I left the private courthouse divorced, owning a safe house and vehicle I couldn’t afford to maintain, with empty accounts. My hatred for the Sullivan family reached unprecedented heights. I would destroy them where it hurt most. I would crush that little brat Lila and reclaim what should have been mine by right.