Chapter 8 - THE COURTROOM WHERE VINCENT TRIED TO CALL THE LAPTOP HIS
Vincent’s attorneys sought return of the black laptop.
Not because it belonged to Romano Capital.
It did not.
Because they argued it contained confidential marital and business materials.
Maya opposed.
The judge did not care about anyone’s feelings.
Good.
She wanted categories.
What files?
How obtained?
What privilege?
Which documents?
Lauren’s counsel produced an index.
Trust records.
Foundation documents.
Joint tax information.
Emails sent directly to Lauren.
Public filings.
Personal notes.
No hacked Romano server.
No copied corporate database.
The court ordered Lauren not to distribute confidential materials publicly while privilege and ownership issues were resolved.
She had no problem.
Vincent’s lawyers asked for laptop imaging.
Maya negotiated protocol through neutral forensic expert.
Also fine.
Lauren was not hiding.
Then Vincent testified during preliminary hearing.
His lawyer asked:
“Did your wife have permission to access Romano Capital’s confidential files?”
“No.”
Maya cross-examined.
“Which disputed file did she access without permission?”
Vincent hesitated.
“The Riverside presentation.”
“How did she obtain it?”
“It was emailed to her.”
“By whom?”
“My tax director.”
“Why?”
“Estate planning.”
“So she received it directly?”
“Yes.”
“Foundation investment memo?”
“She was committee chair.”
“Trust statement?”
“Hers.”
“Emails?”
“To her.”
Silence.
The judge looked unimpressed.
Then Maya asked:
“Mr. Romano, is your concern that she took files, or that she understood them?”
Vincent’s lawyer objected.
Sustained.
But the question stayed in room.
The court denied broad seizure request.
Neutral protocol only.
Outside, reporters surrounded.
Lauren said nothing.
Vincent did.
Mistake.
“My wife is using private marital information to attack a business thousands of people depend on.”
That headline spread.
Romano Capital employees became worried.
Rebecca Alvarez responded internally, not publicly.
The company remains financially stable. Current investigations relate primarily to historical governance and authorization issues. Payroll, benefits, projects, and client obligations continue.
Good.
Then Lauren’s colleagues saw Vincent’s statement.
Evan called.
“You want us to remove you from hotel case?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Why?
“Because some clients may think you’re distracted.”
“Am I?”
“Are you?”
Lauren looked at the sixty-page report in front of her.
“No.”
“Then work.”
Evan had always been like that.
They met in London years earlier.
He was married then.
Lauren was single.
Nothing romantic.
His wife died from cancer five years ago.
Lauren knew vaguely.
He never used grief as introduction.
Good.
Work became refuge.
Not avoidance entirely.
Therapy too.
Dr. Helen Park asked:
“What do you miss?”
Lauren answered before thinking.
“Vincent.”
Then cried for fifteen minutes.
That was allowed.
She missed Sunday mornings.
His terrible espresso.
The way he danced in kitchens.
The man who learned her mother’s favorite flowers.
The marriage ended because betrayal existed, not because love never did.
Then Helen asked:
“What don’t you miss?”
“Being translated.”
“What?”
Lauren thought.
Vincent often answered questions directed at her.
“What does Lauren think about expansion?”
Vincent:
“She hates risk.”
“What does Lauren want for anniversary?”
Vincent:
“She doesn’t care.”
“What does Lauren do?”
Vincent:
“She runs our foundation.”
He narrated her.
Lauren had let him.
Not anymore.
Then one hearing changed financial case.
The court ordered accurate valuation of marital interests.
Romano Capital’s post-marriage growth was enormous.
Depending on prenup terms, Lauren had contractual claim to a defined percentage of appreciation in certain founder distributions and jointly reinvested assets.
Vincent offered $12 million.
Independent analysis suggested closer to $28 million plus property division.
Lauren did not need money.
That was not point.
Maya asked:
“What would you accept if there had been no scandal?”
Lauren thought.
“Fair value.”
“Then accept fair value now.”
Good.
They eventually settled at $24 million plus Lauren’s share of apartment sale and agreed assets, with no claim against her separate trust.
Both sides compromised.
Vincent kept company shares.
Lauren kept dignity and lawful economic rights.
No one bankrupted.
Then Gerald’s case.
His law firm filed civil action seeking repayment of undisclosed referral fees.
Romano Capital sued related contractors over pricing.
Settlements recovered millions.
Gerald faced professional discipline.
He surrendered some licenses? Better not over-specific. Let's say he received suspension from practice after disciplinary proceeding. Fine.
Then he requested to apologize to Lauren.
She declined.
Some apologies are not needed by recipient.
Then a federal inquiry? We can keep broad "regulators" no details.
Romano Capital entered governance settlement with relevant authorities regarding disclosures in a financing package.
Financial penalty.
Independent monitor for period.
Vincent personally paid civil penalty and accepted director/officer restrictions for a number of years without admitting to every allegation but acknowledging unauthorized authorization practices.
No prison.
Some people online complained.
Lauren did not.
Punishment was not her project.
Truth was.
Then in divorce deposition, Vincent’s attorney asked Lauren something foolish.
“You understood Italian all eight years?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever use that knowledge to secretly obtain confidential business information?”
“No.”
“Never?”
“I heard conversations in my presence.”
“Did Mr. Romano know you understood?”
“No.”
“Why conceal it?”
Lauren paused.
Then:
“I didn’t conceal it. He stopped listening when I told him.”
Silence.
That sentence reached Vincent across table.
His face changed.
She was not a spy.
He had simply underestimated her so completely that truth sounded like secrecy.
Then Lauren’s attorney asked:
“Did understanding Italian cause your divorce?”
“No.”
“What did?”
Lauren looked at Vincent.
“Understanding my husband.”
That ended the deposition.
May you like
And for the first time, Vincent did not look angry.
He looked ashamed.
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