Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91937 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Okay, Brady,” I reply as the door opens, and I hear the bailiff speak. “I love you,” I whisper to him as I turn back around and stand next to Ryleigh.
“Ready to rock and roll.” She looks at me, winking. “We’ve got this.”
CHAPTER 37
Brady
The judge walks back in and pulls out her chair, and her eyes go to Mr. Belfast. “So what’s it going to be, Mr. Belfast? Are you going to continue with the claim that the child isn’t his?”
“Your Honor,” Mr. Belfast starts, “my client is very emotional over this whole ordeal. He’s been trying to see his son and has been blocked at every single corner.” I look from the lawyer to Winston and my hands fist. What I would do to him if I had even one minute. I look up to the ceiling, counting to ten like my father told me to do to see if it calms me down, but instead it just makes me even more furious.
“Your Honor,” Ryleigh refutes, “the last time Mr. Cartwright tried to see his son was over two weeks ago when he showed up inebriated and was arrested at the scene.”
“He was distraught,” Mr. Belfast quickly snaps back and the judge holds up her hand, “but he is not going to challenge the paternity.”
“Okay, we’re going to go through this one step at a time.” She doesn’t give them a chance to say anything more. “Now, we need to come to an agreement regarding a reasonable and customary amount for child support and alimony.”
“This woman is ruining my life,” Winston not so quietly hisses out. “Why is the judge a woman?”
My eyes shoot to the judge, who leans back in her brown chair. “Is there a problem, Mr. Cartwright?” Her eyes are narrowed now.
“No, Your Honor,” Mr. Belfast answers for Winston.
“Because, surely, I did not just hear you question my gender.” She looks at Winston, who is staring back at her like the idiot he is. “I’m positive that I didn’t hear that.” His face turns beet red because not only did someone put him in his place, but it’s a woman who is doing it.
“No, Your Honor,” he replies with clenched teeth.
I look over and see Casey lean back in his chair and try to hide his smile. I know exactly why a new judge, who just so happens to be a woman, was assigned to this case. That is because he did some investigating, and it was confirmed there was possible bribery corruption between Winston’s parents and the original judge. Ryleigh stirred the pot so the judge recused himself from the case.
“Based on Mr. Cartwright’s tax return,” the judge says, looking at her papers, “Mr. Cartwright claims he made seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars last year.” Harmony gasps out, and I look over at her, and I can just imagine what she’s thinking. Here she is living paycheck to paycheck, baking cakes in the middle of the night to help pay for things, and this motherfucker is rolling in dough.
“Your Honor,” Mr. Belfast responds, “that was last year. His salary has decreased this year as his role has changed.”
The judge looks up at him. “Mr. Belfast.” She smiles at him. “Are you going to tell me that his parents, who I’m assuming own Cartwright Construction, demoted their child and stripped him of a salary?” She laughs at the idiocy of it all. “If it doesn’t make sense, it’s because it’s not true.” She shakes her head. “Now let’s start with that,” she says, writing something down, then she looks over at Ryleigh. “I believe it’s fair Mrs. Cartwright gets one hundred and fifty-seven thousand dollars a year.” She doesn’t even look up, even when there are grumbles coming from Winston’s side. “And I am going to make sure that we do this yearly.”
“Your Honor,” Mr. Belfast tries to say but then sits down.
“Now, I see that they have a couple of properties together.” The judge flips through the papers.
“All were acquired before they were married,” Mr. Belfast refutes.
“Mr. Belfast,” the judge declares, “we can do this the easy way or the hard way.” She drops her pen, putting her elbows on the desk. “This case is open and shut, and even you know it.” She shakes her head. “Don’t go there with me.”
“I would like a different judge,” Winston finally snaps and stands up, his chair flying back. “Someone who—”
“Someone who—is what?” the judge asks him.
“Someone who knows what they are actually talking about.” He throws up his arms, pulling a tantrum like a child.
“Mr. Cartwright, sit down!” she snaps at him, taking off her glasses. “I’m not sure why you even hired a lawyer since you continue to disregard your own counsel sitting next to you by repeatedly interrupting this proceeding. However, since you are dead set on acting like a lawyer, let me give you a brief explanation on the rules of civil procedure. I know in your world, you’re used to being catered to, and it’s clear you aren’t used to being told no.” Winston’s face goes so red, it’s almost like one of those cartoon characters who get all red in the face, and you can see the steam coming out of their ears, right before their head explodes.