Judge Whitmore put on her reading glasses.

For five agonizing minutes, she read the report. The silence was absolute. Finally, she removed her glasses and set them deliberately on the mahogany bench.

She looked at Ethan Bennett with an expression of pure, unadulterated judicial disgust. “Mr. Bennett, please stand.” Ethan stood, his legs visibly shaking.

“This court was initially convened to mediate a civil dissolution of marriage and the equitable distribution of assets,” Judge Whitmore began, her voice cold and resonant.

“What has been presented today transcends civil dispute. It enters the realm of systemic, predatory financial abuse.” She picked up her pen.

“The court finds that the primary residence and all associated investment portfolios are the sole, non-marital property of the petitioner, Mrs. Bennett. The respondent’s claims to these assets are dismissed with extreme prejudice.”