“This court finds that the loan guarantees signed by Arthur Vance were unauthorized and fraudulent,” Judge Thomas said, reaching for his gavel.

He wrote a series of firm notes across the legal file before looking back up at the room.

“The corporate lien attached to the Whitman family residence is hereby declared null and void,” Judge Thomas declared.

“Sole ownership remains with Claire Whitman, free of any lien.”

A low murmur ran through the gallery behind us as Patty leaned over to whisper to the woman beside her.

“Furthermore,” Judge Thomas added, “the clerk of this court is directed to send these records to the state prosecutor for immediate review for corporate fraud.”