Todos los capítulos de DEAR EX, IT'S TOO LATE FOR REGRET.: Capítulo 101 - Capítulo 110

THE PROBATE HEARING.Nathan’s POV.The quiet courtroom was completely still as everyone took their designated seats, and the transition from the busy hallway conversation into this formal judicial room was smooth as the bailiff called the court to order. I sat directly on the wooden bench behind Emma, keeping my eyes fixed on the front desk where Judge Patricia Vance was reviewing the case files, while Joel sat beside Emma at the primary table, organizing our legal documents into neat stacks. Richard Hayes sat at the opposing table across the central aisle, nervously shuffling through his handwritten notes while looking repeatedly toward the court entrance doors as if he hoped another witness would arrive to save his weak position."All rise for the Honorable Judge Patricia Vance of the County Probate Court," the bailiff announced loudly, stepping back to stand near the side wall as the judge walked in and sat down at her bench."Please be seated, e

SANCTIONING THE ATTORNEY.Nathan’s POV.The hallway outside the probate courtroom was quiet as the last few spectators dispersed toward the main exit, and the transition from Judge Vance's decisive court ruling to this secondary legal action was completely smooth as Emma stood beside Joel while holding her father's cleared estate records. Mark stepped forward from his position near the wall, gesturing toward a tall man standing near the marble pillars holding a thin black leather folder, and Joel immediately recognized him as Raymond Vance, the chief investigator for the state bar disciplinary board."Nathan, this is Raymond Vance from the state bar association, and he was sitting in the gallery during the entire preliminary hearing to monitor Richard Hayes' conduct," Joel introduced, stepping forward to shake the investigator's hand before turning back to us."Good afternoon, Mr. Zander, Mrs. Zander, and I watched Judge Vance dismiss that fraudulen

THE NEW HOUSEHOLD HIRE.Emma’s POV.The morning sun was shining bright across the living room carpet where Pearl and Gina were organizing their new school folders, and the transition from our evening victory dinner to this busy home routine was completely smooth as I reviewed the schedule for the girls' new term of extracurricular activities. Sarah was already preparing the lunch trays in the kitchen, but with Pearl starting piano lessons and Gina beginning her twice-weekly gymnastics sessions, our daily household schedule needed extra support to keep everything running smoothly. I sat at the central table in the study with three candidate files laid flat in front of me, waiting for Mark to bring up the first applicant for the secondary domestic assistant position."Mrs. Zander, the first applicant, Clara Evans, has arrived at the private elevator desk, and her background check paperwork has been fully verified by our security team," Mark reported, steppin

SMUGGLING THE COMPOUND.Derek’s POV.The visitor room inside the facility was small and noisy with the sounds of guards moving along the hallway, and the transition from my lonely cell to this secondary meeting table was smooth as the guard pushed me into the plastic chair opposite my visitor. Gordon sat waiting with his arms crossed over his jacket, holding a plain folder on the metal surface between us while watching the guard walk back to stand by the door."You took your time getting down here, Derek, and the guards made me wait twenty minutes at the main desk before they let me pass through," Gordon said, leaning across the table so his voice would not carry to the guard behind us."The guards do whatever they want in this place, Gordon, so just tell me if Clara managed to get inside the penthouse without raising suspicion," I replied, sitting forward while gripping the edge of the plastic table."Clara passed Emma’s interview two

LAB CONFIRMATION.Nathan’s POV.The penthouse study was quiet as I stood near the window while watching Pearl and Gina play with their blocks in the main hallway, and the transition from our morning breakfast to this anxious waiting period was completely smooth. My phone rang on the table behind me, so I walked over quickly and picked up the device while keeping my eyes fixed on the open door."Mr. Zander, this is Dr. Cole calling from the central lab downtown, and I am calling you directly because we just finished running the chemical analysis on those tea and treat samples that Mark delivered," Dr. Cole said, his tone sounding grave as he spoke over the line."Good morning, Dr. Cole, please tell me the exact results of the chemical screening right now," I instructed, holding the phone tightly against my ear as I braced myself for the news."The imported tea sample contains a distinct trace amount of a synthetic chemical compound, Mr. Zander