Chapter 7 - The Auction BlockBy Friday morning, Derek had no choice.
Driven by the terrifying threat of a state prison sentence, he sold everything he owned at fire-sale prices.
His high-end sports SUV was bought by a used car dealership for pennies on the dollar. His prized Rolex collection, his custom golf sets, his tailored suits, and his remaining equity in a small commercial lot were liquidated in seventy-two hours.
At 11:45 AM on Friday—fifteen minutes before my deadline—Derek’s attorney delivered a certified cashier’s check for $134,500 directly to Marcus Vance’s office.
I sat at the conference table, watching as the check was officially verified by the bank.
Ten minutes later, Derek walked into the room, flanked by his tired-looking public defender.
He looked hollowed out. The arrogant, polished man who used to strut around golf courses in designer clothes was gone. He was wearing rumpled jeans, a faded jacket, and had dark, bruised circles beneath his eyes. He hadn't shaved in days.
He looked at me across the table, his eyes burning with a mixture of intense hatred and profound defeat.
"You destroyed my life," Derek whispered, his voice hoarse and broken. "You took my home, my reputation, my money... everything."
I carefully signed the final divorce decree, attached the bank receipt, and capped my pen with a clean, sharp click.
"I didn't destroy your life, Derek," I said, looking at him with absolute calm. "You destroyed it yourself through gambling, greed, and arrogance. I just stopped funding your destruction."
He slammed his hands on the table, his knuckles turning white. "My mother is living in a two-star motel! She's sixty years old!"
"Then you should get a job and rent her an apartment," I replied smoothly, standing up and gathering my coat. "Isn't that what you told me real men do?"
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Derek opened his mouth to scream, but his attorney grabbed his arm, pulling him back into his chair. "Derek, be quiet! The ink isn't even dry on the settlement yet!"
I picked up my purse, shook Marcus’s hand, and walked out of the conference room without looking back at him again.
