Chapter 22: The Trial Begins
233 words
The courtroom smelled of wood polish and old paper. Rejecting the five million felt like a fever dream, but as the jury selection finalized, reality set in. Preston sat at the defense table, his Italian suit now looking slightly too large for him. He avoided looking at the jury.
Vance’s opening statement was surgical. He didn't just paint Preston as negligent; he painted him as a predator. But the real shock came during the procedural motions.
Preston’s lawyer tried to block a financial document. In his haste, he handed the wrong file to the clerk—a frantic error caused by Vance's relentless pressure.
Vance scanned the page, and his eyebrows shot up. "Your Honor," he boomed, abandoning his usual calm. "This document details an active account in the Cayman Islands that was not disclosed during discovery. This is offshore banking illegal concealment."
A gasp rippled through the gallery. The judge snatched the paper.
"Mr. Halloway," the judge growled, peering over his glasses. "Did you just accidentally prove your client is hiding assets from this court?"
Preston turned to his lawyer, his face draining of color. The courtroom trial procedure ground to a halt as the judge ordered the bailiff to secure the document. The paperwork error hadn't just exposed money; it exposed a conspiracy to defraud the victim.
The jury was watching Preston now, and their eyes were hard unyielding flint.
End of Chapter 22
