He Mocked His Wife’s Lack of a Lawyer… Until Her Mother Entered the Courtroom

Garrison didn’t look at his client. He began packing his briefcase.

“What are you doing?” Keith asked, panic rising in his voice.

Garrison stood up and buttoned his jacket.

“Your honor,” Garrison said, his voice steady.

“At this time, I must respectfully move to withdraw as counsel for the plaintiff, Mr. Simmons.” Garrison announced.

Keith’s eyes bulged.

“What? You can’t quit! I paid you a $50,000 retainer!” Keith screamed.

“Mr. Simmons,” Judge Henderson said, peering over his spectacles.

“We are in the middle of a hearing. This is highly irregular.” The judge noted.

“Your honor,” Garrison continued, choosing his words carefully to avoid violating privilege while saving his own skin.

“An ethical conflict has arisen that makes it impossible for me to continue representing this client.” Garrison stated.

“As an officer of the court, I cannot suborn perjury based on the testimony my client just gave.” He explained.

“My continued representation would compromise my professional obligations.” Garrison added.

Translation: He lied, he got caught, and I’m not going down with him.

“You coward!” Keith screamed.

He lunged at Garrison, grabbing the lawyer’s lapel.

“I pay you! You work for me!” Keith yelled.

“Bailiff!” Judge Henderson shouted.

Officer Kowalski moved with surprising speed for a big man.

He grabbed Keith by the back of his expensive suit and slammed him back into his chair.

“Sit down and shut up, or you’re going to a holding cell.” Kowalski growled.

Keith sat breathing heavily, his tie askew. He looked around the room.

He was alone. Truly alone.

Judge Henderson looked at Garrison.

“Mr. Ford, I am not granting your withdrawal at this moment.” The judge said.

“You will sit there and you will ensure your client’s rights are protected until this hearing concludes.” Henderson commanded.

“After that, you can file whatever motions you want, but you are not leaving this courtroom.” The judge stated.

Garrison’s face fell, but he nodded.

“Yes, your honor.” He said.

He sat down, moving his chair a distinct two feet away from Keith.

Katherine Bennett watched this display with a cool detachment. She stood up again.

“Your honor,” She said.

“Since Mr. Simmons’s counsel is still present—albeit reluctantly—I would like to call my next witness.” Katherine announced.

“This witness goes to the issue of character, specifically regarding Mr. Simmons’s petition for spousal support, which I might add he had the audacity to file against my daughter.” She explained.

“Call your witness,” The judge said, sounding exhausted.

“I call Sasha Miller.” Katherine said.

Keith’s head snapped up.

“No.” He whispered.

“She wouldn’t.” He added.

The doors at the back of the courtroom opened again. A young woman walked in.

She was stunningly beautiful, wearing a modest navy dress. She looked terrified.

She walked past Keith without looking at him. Keith reached out his hand.

“Sasha, baby, don’t—” Keith began.

She flinched away from him as if he were radioactive. Sasha took the stand and was sworn in.

“Ms. Miller,” Katherine said gently.

“Thank you for coming. I know this is difficult. Can you tell the court your relationship to the plaintiff, Keith Simmons?” Katherine asked.

Sasha took a shaky breath.

“I—I was his girlfriend for the last two years.” Sasha replied.

“Was?” Katherine asked.

“Yes.” Sasha said, her voice gaining strength.

“I broke up with him this morning.” She stated.

“Why did you break up with him this morning, Ms. Miller?” Katherine asked.

Sasha looked at Keith. Her eyes were filled with tears, but also with anger.

“Because—” She said, her voice trembling.

“Because Ms. Bennett showed me the text messages Keith sent to his other girlfriend in Chicago.” Sasha revealed.

The courtroom erupted. Even the judge looked shocked.

“Order!” Judge Henderson banged the gavel.

“Order!” He shouted.

Keith looked like he was going to be sick.

“Ms. Miller,” Katherine continued, unfazed by the noise.

“Did Mr. Simmons ever discuss his wife, Grace, with you?” Katherine asked.

“All the time.” Sasha said.

“He told me she was crazy. He said she was a burden.” Sasha continued.

She paused, looking at Grace with pity.

“He said he was going to destroy her in court. He bragged about it.” Sasha said.

“He said he was going to leave her with nothing, just for the sport of it. He called it ‘taking out the trash.'” She revealed.

Grace covered her face with her hands, sobbing quietly.

“He told me,” Sasha continued, her voice rising.

“That he had a lawyer who was a killer and that Grace was too stupid to fight back.” Sasha said.

“He said he was going to make her homeless so she would have to come crawling back to him, begging for help. He said he wanted to own her.” She stated.

Katherine let the words hang in the air. They were ugly, they were cruel, and they were the final nail in Keith’s coffin.

“Thank you, Ms. Miller.” Katherine said softly.

“No further questions.” She announced.

Katherine turned to Garrison Ford.

“Cross-examination?” She asked.

Garrison looked at Keith, who was staring at the table, defeated. Garrison looked at the judge.

“No questions, your honor.” Garrison said.

Judge Henderson took off his glasses and cleaned them slowly with a microfiber cloth.

He didn’t look at the papers in front of him. He looked at Keith Simmons.

“Mr. Simmons,” The judge began, his voice dangerously low.

“In my twenty years on the bench, I have seen some truly despicable behavior.” Henderson said.

“I have seen people fight over dogs, over silverware, over children. But I have rarely seen a display of arrogance and malice quite like this.” The judge stated.

Keith didn’t look up.

“You came into my courtroom,” The judge continued, his voice rising.

“And you mocked the judicial process. You mocked your wife. You attempted to weaponize this court to abuse a woman you swore to protect.” Henderson declared.

“You committed perjury. You committed fraud.” The judge added.

The judge turned to Grace.

“Mrs. Simmons, I owe you an apology. The court should have protected you sooner.” Henderson said.

Grace nodded, wiping her eyes. Katherine put an arm around her.

“However,” Judge Henderson said, putting his glasses back on.

“I am now in a position to rectify that.” He stated.

He picked up his pen.

“I am issuing a temporary ruling immediately. The final judgment will follow once Ms. Bennett’s team completes a full forensic audit of Mr. Simmons’s assets.” Henderson announced.

“Every single penny.” He added.

“First,” The judge ruled.

“I am freezing all assets belonging to Keith Simmons, Apex Ventures, and any other entity he controls. Access is granted solely to Mrs. Simmons and her counsel.” Henderson commanded.

Keith groaned.

“Second,” The judge continued.

“I am awarding Mrs. Simmons immediate exclusive use and occupancy of the marital residence on Fifth Avenue and the Hamptons property.” Henderson ruled.

“Mr. Simmons, you have two hours to vacate. You may take your clothes and personal hygiene items. That is it.” The judge ordered.

“If you remove a single piece of furniture, a single painting, or a single light bulb, I will have you arrested.” He warned.

“Third,” The judge said, looking at Garrison Ford.