Chapter 6 - The Summons
At ten-thirty that morning, Emily was sitting on the terrace of the Pasadena apartment, drinking a glass of cold water and sketching a silk evening gown in her sketchbook, when her phone rang again.
This time, it wasn't Valerie.
It was an official number from the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Emily answered it instantly.
"Emily Shaw?" a formal female voice asked.
"Yes," Emily said, her heart doing a familiar, sickening flip at the sound of her new last name.
"This is the office of Judge Robert Sterling," the secretary said. "We have an emergency motion for injunctive relief filed by Carter Textiles, Inc., regarding corporate equity ownership and spousal asset protection. You are required to attend a preliminary hearing at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at two o'clock this afternoon."
Emily froze, her pencil hovering over the white paper.
"A preliminary hearing?" Emily asked. "Regarding what?"
"The petitioner, Valerie Carter, claims your marriage executed on September 23rd was fraudulent and intended to obstruct corporate restructuring," the secretary said smoothly. "Your presence is mandatory. If you do not appear, a default judgment regarding your voting equity in Carter Textiles will be issued."
"I... I understand," Emily whispered.
The call ended.
Emily set her sketchbook down on the terrace table. Her hands were shaking.
Valerie wasn't just angry—she was moving through the courts with terrifying speed. She was trying to declare the marriage a sham before the end of the day so she could force Emily back into the settlement with Vance.
Emily pulled out her phone, opened her contacts, and found the number written on the back of Adrian’s business card.
310-555-0192.
She pressed call.
It rang once. Twice. Three times.
"This is Adrian Shaw. Leave a message."
The mechanical beep sounded in her ear.
May you like
Emily took a deep breath. "Adrian... it's Emily. Valerie filed an emergency motion in court for two o'clock today. They're trying to prove our marriage is fake. I... I don't have a lawyer. If you get this, please call me back."
She hung up, swallowed hard, and walked back into her bedroom to find her best navy-blue trousers and white silk blouse.
