"That is wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and commercial extortion captured in high-definition audio, Vivian," Arthur said. "We don't wait for Monday morning. We file an emergency cross-motion with the chancery court at noon today."
Chapter 5 - The Emergency Chancery Hearing Where Camden Claimed He Co
At 11:30 AM on Saturday, Chancery Judge Robert Vance convened an emergency virtual hearing from his private chambers in Princeton.
The high-definition video link connected my boardroom with Camden’s high-priced legal team, who were broadcasting from a lavish conference room in Midtown Manhattan.
Camden sat at the center of the screen, wearing a fresh tailored charcoal suit, his hair slicked back, projecting an aura of aggrieved, patrician dignity.
Beside him sat his lead trial attorney, Gregory Croft, an aggressive matrimonial litigator known for using scorched-earth tactics to force wealthy spouses into eight-figure settlements.
Lila Monroe sat in the corner of their screen, wearing a modest high-necked navy sweater and no jewelry, looking like a contrite, terrified victim of circumstance.
"Counsel, identify yourselves for the record," Judge Vance commanded, his sharp, seventy-year-old face framed by heavy wooden bookshelves.
"Gregory Croft, appearing on behalf of Camden Pierce, petitioner and co-founder of Pierce Aero Holdings," Croft announced with smooth, booming confidence. "With me is Mr. Pierce and our material witness, Miss Monroe."
"Arthur Vance, appearing on behalf of Vivian Alden Pierce, sole trustee of the Alden Meridian Trust and fee-simple owner of Pierce Aero," Arthur countered calmly.
Judge Vance adjusted his glasses, looking down at his docket.
"Mr. Croft, your emergency application seeks to vacate Mrs. Pierce's grounding of four charter aircraft, dissolve her administrative freeze on corporate accounts, and grant Mr. Pierce immediate interim operational control of the Teterboro terminal. Make your argument."
Croft stood up, holding a bound presentation toward the camera.
"Your Honor, what we are witnessing is a vindictive, retaliatory corporate sabotage executed by an emotionally volatile spouse," Croft argued passionately. "Mrs. Pierce discovered that my client had developed a private personal relationship with Miss Monroe. In a fit of jealous hysteria on Friday afternoon, she manufactured a false hazardous cargo accusation, called federal agents onto private company property, and unilaterally grounded an entire fleet of commercial aircraft."
Croft turned his computer screen to show Camden, whose face was a study in long-suffering spousal patience.
"Mr. Pierce co-founded this enterprise nine years ago," Croft continued boldly. "He brought his elite business network, restructured the debt, and transformed a struggling regional charter into a fifty-million-dollar aviation powerhouse. If the court does not lift this grounding order immediately, Pierce Aero will suffer twenty million dollars in contractual defaults by Monday afternoon."
Judge Vance looked over his reading glasses at our screen. "Mr. Vance, how do you respond to the allegation that this grounding is merely personal retaliation?"
Arthur Vance did not stand up.
He leaned forward, clicked his trackpad, and transmitted five evidentiary documents directly into the court's secure electronic repository.
"Your Honor," Arthur said, his voice razor-sharp. "Mr. Croft has made three statements under oath that constitute deliberate, sanctionable fraud upon this court."
Croft scoffed loudly over the audio link. "Preposterous!"
"First," Arthur continued, unbothered, "Mr. Pierce did not co-found Pierce Aero nine years ago. We submit Exhibit A: the original 1994 New Jersey corporate charter of Alden Aviation, established twenty years prior to the celebration of this marriage by the late Richard Alden."
Judge Vance opened the document, his eyebrows rising.
"Second," Arthur stated, "Mr. Pierce does not hold a single share of voting equity. We submit Exhibit B: the irrevocable 2015 Alden Meridian Trust Agreement, in which Mr. Pierce explicitly executed a comprehensive waiver of all equitable, marital, and beneficial claims to the aviation assets in exchange for an annual executive salary of six hundred thousand dollars."
Camden’s expression tightened, his hand twitching against the mahogany table.
"And third," Arthur said, his voice dropping into a deadly, resonant cadence, "the grounding of tail number N719AM was not the result of spousal jealousy. It was mandated by Federal Aviation Administration emergency safety protocols following the seizure of three containers of illegal biological contraband."
Arthur hit play on the screen.
The cockpit voice recording filled Judge Vance's chambers: Camden’s voice, clear as day, boasting about draining Pierce Aero's credit lines to launch Helios Therapeutics before Vivian could figure it out.
The color completely drained from Gregory Croft’s face.
He slowly turned his head to look at Camden, who was staring down at his legal pad, his chest heaving, sweat visibly breaking out across his forehead.
Judge Vance’s face turned from mild skepticism into pure, unadulterated judicial fury.
"Mr. Croft," Judge Vance said, his voice trembling with quiet rage. "Did you verify the authenticity of your client’s claims of co-ownership before presenting this petition to my chambers?"
"Your Honor... my client provided me with executive correspondence—" Croft stammered, raising his hands in immediate retreat.
"Silence!" Judge Vance roared, slamming his open palm against his desk. "The petition for temporary injunctive relief is denied in its entirety with prejudice!"
Camden gasped, his head jerking up. "Your Honor, please!"
"Mr. Pierce," Judge Vance declared, "the temporary restraining order issued on Friday is hereby dissolved. The Court issues an immediate, reciprocal order barring you from entering any facility, hangar, or office of Pierce Aero worldwide, and prohibiting you from contacting Mrs. Pierce directly or indirectly."
Judge Vance looked directly into the camera at Camden.