Page 71 of Now Their Starlet

“Thank you, Your Honor. My client’s stance does not need a long introduction. If the court deems a conservatorship remains necessary, the evidence presented will establish Ms. Sterling’s father is the appropriate conservator.”

“Noted. Proposed conservatee’s council?” Judge Harvey says.

“Miss Andi Sterling objects to any continuing conservatorship,” Charles’s voice carries through the space of the courtroom.

“And if it’s deemed necessary? Does Miss Andi have a preference?”

“Yes. She would like her father, Edison Wade, to be named the conservator.”

Gina makes a strangled noise, her hands clenched into white-knuckled fists in her lap. Her lawyers immediately move to shush her, but it’s too late. Judge Harvey’s gaze cuts towards her, his brows raised.

Andi’s shoulders curl inwards ever so slightly at the noise. I don’t think anyone would notice if they weren’t staring as intently at her as I am. She’s more than aware of how important appearances are at this hearing.

“Do you have anything to say, Ms. Sterling?”

Gina whispers something harshly to her lawyers, who continue to vigorously shake their heads.

“No, Your Honor, my client has nothing more to say,” Collin replies, clearing his throat.

The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

“Good. Please continue with the evidence you’d like to display,” Judge Harvey says with a wave of his hand.

There’s a TV wheeled by the witness stand, visible to everyone in the room.

“Please direct your attention to the screen. The following video compilation is Exhibit A. I’m sure you will reach the same conclusion Ms. Sterling has after viewing these videos. Andromeda Sterling demonstrates a long-standing pattern of impulsive, erratic, and self-destructive behavior in which she is unable to regulate her emotions or make sound decisions.”

Charles has described the content of the exhibits to me. But I have yet to actually watch them myself.

The TV flickers on, and the sound of Andi’s voice is shrill as she screams through the speakers.

CHAPTER 16

Andi

Istare at my hands the entire time Gina’s team showcases the exhibits they’ve prepared.

They really do make me look crazy.

There’s footage going back to my freshman year of high school. All recorded on the same cameras used to film Gina’s show, The Real Omegas of Beverly Hills. When I was still living back at that house, cameras would be running all the time, so every fight, every fuck-up, every emotional breakdown was captured and apparently saved.

How long has Gina been sitting on this footage, ready to use it to chain me to her?

My chamomile scent grows bitter and sharp with my shame.

Maybe I am crazy.

I flinch at the sound of myself throwing stuff on the screen.

I can’t bring myself to look.

I remember the day differently than it’s being depicted. I’d changed into so many outfits for whatever stupid marketing campaign I was doing, and none of them apparently fit right. So I broke down. I thought I was alone when I tore up my dressing room.

Apparently not.

I picked up every piece of clothing I tore off the clothing racks, but obviously the footage Gina is showing doesn’t show that part.

There’s more footage in future exhibits. Stuff Gina must’ve gotten from the people that hung around Ezra, when we were still dating. It’s footage of me during my party phase, when I would tag along with Ezra.