The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 175

175 A Mother’s Plea, A Final Verdict

Hazel’s POVD

The judge’s voice echoed through the courtroom. “I understand the parties have reached an agreement on all terms?”

My lawyer nodded confidently. “Yes, Your Honor. All documents have been prepared per the previously discussed settlement.”

I folded my hands in my lap, allowing myself a brief moment of relief. After months of fighting, this nightmare was almost over.

But then Alistair’s lawyer cleared his throat. “Actually, Your Honor, we have some concerns about the distribution of certain assets.”

My head snapped up. The lawyer continued, “My client believes the division of property requires further review. We request additional time to—”

“Objection!” My lawyer jumped to her feet. “This is a clear delay tactic. All terms were agreed upon last week.”

The judge frowned. “Counselor, is there new information that warrants reopening negotiations?”

Alistair’s lawyer shuffled papers dramatically. “We’ve discovered discrepancies in the valuation of several joint holdings that—”

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. They were doing it again- dragging this out, keeping me trapped.

“Your Honor,” I interrupted, unable to contain myself. “May I request a brief recess to confer with my husband?”

The judge raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Ten minutes.”

I strode out of the courtroom, not bothering to check if Alistair followed. In the empty hallway, I whirled around to face him.

“What the hell are you doing?” I hissed.

14 13

Alistair’s expression remained impassive. “Following legal advice.”

“This is just another stalling tactic. We agreed on everything!”

He shrugged. “My lawyer thinks we can get a better deal.”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Let me be very clear. Either you drop this nonsense and sign the papers today, or tomorrow morning the police receive an anonymous tip about Gloria’s embezzlement.”

His face paled. “You wouldn’t.”

“I absolutely would.” My voice was steel. “I have copies of all the evidence.”

“Gloria’s still recovering,” he pleaded. “She can’t handle an investigation right now.”

“That’s not my problem.”

Before Alistair could respond, frantic footsteps echoed down the hallway. Liana Langdon rushed toward us, her designer heels clacking against the marble floor, her face streaked with tears.

“Alistair!” she cried. “You need to come to the hospital immediately!”

My stomach dropped. “What happened?”

Liana shot me a venomous glare. “This is your fault! After you left, Gloria overheard everything-about the video, the blackmail-”

Alistair grabbed his mother’s shoulders. “Mom, what happened?”

“She took pills!” Liana wailed. “The nurses found her in time, but she’s in critical condition. They’re pumping her stomach now.”

Alistair’s face crumpled. “I need to go—”

“No,” I cut in sharply. “You need to finish this divorce first.”

They both stared at me in shock.

“Are you serious?” Alistair’s voice shook with rage. “My sister tried to kill herself!”

“And I’ve been dying slowly for six years in this marriage,” I shot back. “One hour. That’s

14-13

C

all I’m asking.”

Liana’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You heartless bitch.”

The commotion had attracted attention. Vera and my other friends peered from

around the corner, along with several elegantly dressed women I’d invited specifically

for this moment.

“Everything okay, Hazel?” Vera called.

“Just peachy,” I replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Alistair’s trying to delay the divorce again.”

Murmurs rippled through the growing crowd.

“Isn’t that the third postponement?” one woman asked loudly.

“Fourth,” another corrected. “My husband works with their lawyer.”

I recognized several of Liana’s social circle-women whose opinion she valued above all else. Their disapproving stares landed on Alistair and his mother with the weight of social judgment.

Liana noticed them too, her composure cracking further. “This is a private matter!”

“Nothing’s private in our circle,” one woman replied coolly. “We all remember how you boasted about Alistair’s marriage to Hazel at the country club.”

Another nodded. “Called it the merger of the century, if I recall.”

Alistair’s jaw clenched as he grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the crowd. “Stop this circus.”

“I didn’t start it,” I replied calmly. “All I want is my divorce today.”

“My sister is in the hospital!”

“And she’ll still be there after you sign the papers.”

Our standoff was interrupted by Liana approaching, her desperate eyes fixed on her son. To my shock, she sank to her knees in front of him.

14:13

215

ど

175 A Mother’s Plea, A Final Verdict

“Please, Alistair,” she begged, clutching at his suit jacket. “Gloria needs you. She has no

one else.”

Gasps echoed through the hallway. Liana Langdon-socialite extraordinaire, who prided herself on perfect poise-was on her knees in a public courthouse.

Alistair looked horrified. “Mom, get up.”

“Not until you come with me,” she insisted, tears streaming down her face. “Family first, Alistair. We taught you that.”

The whispers grew louder. Someone took a photo.

Alistair’s eyes darted between his kneeling mother, the growing crowd of onlookers,

and me. I could see the exact moment he broke.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify