Chapter 6 - THE COURTROOM
The lawsuit became the biggest corporate story in the city.
News reporters surrounded the courthouse.
Daniel claimed I had manipulated company finances.
His attorney claimed I had hidden assets from him.
Madison publicly accused me of stealing from Daniel.
For three days, the internet was full of rumors.
But I stayed silent.
I let the documents speak.
On the fourth day, Rachel presented the first piece of evidence.
The original shareholder agreement.
Daniel's signature.
His initials on every page.
The judge examined it.
“Mr. Hayes, did you sign this?”
Daniel's attorney answered.
“Yes.”
“And did you read it?”
“Yes.”
Rachel stood.
“Then why did your client claim the shares belonged to him?”
Daniel stared at the table.
No answer.
Next came the bank records.
Millions had been transferred to Madison.
Then came the forensic reports.
Then the emails.
Then the photograph of Madison meeting Ethan.
Finally, Rachel played the recording.
Daniel's voice filled the courtroom.
“Once she's out, the shares will be transferred.”
The courtroom went silent.
Daniel looked at me.
“I didn't mean that.”
Rachel played another recording.
His father's voice.
“Make sure she believes you love her.”
Daniel lowered his head.
The judge looked at Richard.
“Mr. Hayes, is that your voice?”
Richard remained silent.
His attorney stood.
“My client declines to answer.”
Rachel smiled.
“Then perhaps the next exhibit will help.”
She placed a photograph on the screen.
Richard meeting my grandmother.
The date was twenty years earlier.
Another photograph.
Richard meeting Madison.
Another.
Richard meeting Daniel.
The judge leaned forward.
“How many of these meetings occurred?”
Rachel answered:
“Dozens.”
Then Thomas testified.
He explained the financial scheme.
My father testified about the hidden trust.
My mother testified about the original Carter family documents.
Then I took the stand.
Daniel looked at me.
For the first time, he looked frightened.
Rachel asked:
“What did your husband tell you when he threw you out?”
I answered:
“He called me a parasite.”
“And did you contribute financially to the company?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“More than thirty million dollars over four years.”
The courtroom gasped.
Rachel asked:
“Why didn't you tell him?”
I looked at Daniel.
“Because I wanted him to love me without knowing what I owned.”
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
I continued.
“And when he believed I had nothing, he showed me exactly who he was.”
Silence.
The judge eventually ruled.
The shares belonged to me.
The property belonged to me.
The company belonged to me.
Daniel's lawsuit was dismissed.
Richard was ordered to remain in the country pending criminal investigation.
Madison was charged with financial fraud.
The case was over.
Or so I thought.
After court, Daniel approached me.
“Emily.”
I turned.
“I know I don't deserve forgiveness.”
“No.”
“I loved you once.”
I looked at him.
“Maybe.”
He lowered his eyes.
“But you chose money.”
He nodded.
“I did.”
“And now you have neither.”
He walked away.
I watched him disappear into the crowd.
I felt no satisfaction.
Only relief.
Then my father came beside me.
“It's over.”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
But Rachel suddenly approached.
Her expression was serious.
“Emily.”
“What?”
“We found another account.”
My smile disappeared.
“Whose?”
“Richard's.”
“What did he use it for?”
Rachel handed me the report.
The account had been opened thirty years ago.
There were monthly deposits.
One payment every month.
To a woman.
My mother.
I stared.
My mother had been receiving money for decades.
But she had never told us.
May you like
I looked at my father.
His face went pale.
