Chapter 14 - Madison Without the Sofa
Madison’s life collapsed faster than Nathan’s.
Her Malibu property was seized during the civil investigation.
Luxury accounts funded by Sable Advisory were frozen.
Brands canceled contracts.
Friends who once crowded around her disappeared.
She moved from the Beverly Hills guest suite into a small rented apartment paid for by her attorney.
During questioning, Madison tried to minimize her role.
She claimed Nathan seduced her with promises of marriage.
She claimed she believed Sable Advisory performed legitimate work.
Then investigators played a recording from Sophia’s emergency phone.
Madison’s voice was clear.
Maybe then he’ll let you stay.
The detective asked, “Did you believe Mrs. Brooks was in danger?”
Madison looked away.
“Nathan was angry.”
“Did you see him strike her?”
“Yes.”
“Did you call for help?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Madison’s answer was barely audible.
“I wanted her gone.”
She pleaded guilty to conspiracy, receiving stolen company funds, evidence fabrication and assisting coercion.
The assault charge applied to Nathan, but Madison’s encouragement became part of the sentencing record.
Before accepting the plea, the judge asked whether she understood the harm.
Madison began with an apology.
Then she said, “I thought Sophia was weak.”
Sophia attended by video.
She spoke only once.
“You thought my silence made your cruelty safe.”
Madison began crying.
Sophia felt no satisfaction.
She ended the call.
Nathan remained more defiant.
He claimed Alexander used wealth to destroy him.
He described himself as the victim of an undisclosed investor relationship.
His attorneys argued Sophia had deceived him by hiding her identity.
The prosecutor answered simply.
“Being unaware that your wife has a powerful father does not authorize fraud or violence.”
Nathan’s defense weakened further when former employees testified.
An accountant described being fired after questioning Sable payments.
A project manager revealed Nathan knowingly approved unsafe cost-cutting.
A receptionist said Madison instructed staff to treat Sophia like an unwanted guest.
Ryan testified for six hours.
“I watched Mr. Brooks become the kind of man who believed every room belonged to him,” he said. “Mrs. Brooks was the only person who still told him no.”
Nathan stared at Ryan with hatred.
Ryan did not look away.
The criminal trial was scheduled.
Sophia could submit her recordings without appearing.
She chose to testify.
Not because the evidence required it.
May you like
Because she wanted Nathan to hear the truth in the voice he had tried to reduce to whispers.
👉 The courtroom would be the first place Nathan could not interrupt Sophia, threaten her or order her to apologize.
