Chapter 12 - DAVID LOST HIS FREEDOM, HIS CAREER, AND THE NAME HE BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND
David was convicted on the principal assault-related charges brought to trial.
The financial case followed.
There, the evidence was worse.
Bank records don't become emotional.
They don't forget.
They don't get intimidated.
Eleven million dollars.
Shell entities.
Escrow transfers.
Forged documents.
My secret trust.
Claire Donnelly testified.
Matthew Cole testified.
Former clients testified.
David eventually accepted a plea agreement on major financial charges rather than face every count at trial.
He received a substantial prison sentence.
Restitution.
Disbarment followed through separate professional proceedings.
The house was sold.
Assets recovered.
My fraudulent trust was dissolved under court supervision.
Money traced to victims returned where possible.
I received none of it.
Good.
I wanted nothing built from theft.
My divorce became final on a rainy Tuesday.
I walked out of court holding Maggie's hand.
Nathaniel waited outside.
“Ms. Evelyn Hart again.”
he said.
My birth name.
I smiled.
“Actually, I filed something.”
He raised an eyebrow.
Weeks earlier, I had petitioned for a legal name change.
Not Ward.
Not Mercer.
Hart-Ward.
My parents gave me Hart.
Nathaniel and Maggie gave me Ward.
I wanted both.
Nathaniel read the order.
Then removed his glasses.
Maggie immediately cried.
He pretended not to.
“You didn't have to do this.”
“I know.”
May you like
There it was again.
Choice.
