Chương 14 - The Trial
The courtroom was packed.
Jessi testified for six hours.
She described the crash.
The hidden injuries.
Victor's threats.
Adrian's betrayal.
Thomas's involvement.
Then Victor's attorney displayed medical photographs.
Jessi's face went pale.
Ivan watched from the gallery.
She looked toward him.
He didn't smile.
Didn't nod dramatically.
He simply stayed.
That was enough.
Then Ivan testified.
The defense tried humiliating him.
“You were a janitor?”
“Yes.”
“And suddenly you became a security expert?”
“No. I became a man trying to protect someone.”
“You accepted money from Ms. Sterling?”
“I accepted salary.”
“You developed a personal relationship?”
“Yes.”
The attorney smiled.
“So you're biased.”
Ivan considered it.
“I care about her.”
Whispers filled the courtroom.
Jessi stared at him.
Ivan continued.
“But caring about someone doesn't change bank records, surveillance footage or your client's recorded statements.”
The attorney's smile disappeared.
Laura's video became central evidence.
Ivan couldn't watch it again.
Fiona waited outside with Marcus.
After closing arguments, the jury deliberated.
Hours passed.
Then the doors opened.
Victor stood.
The verdicts were read.
Guilty.
Conspiracy.
Fraud.
Obstruction.
Charges connected to the crashes.
Count after count.
Victor's shoulders gradually collapsed.
Jessi didn't celebrate.
Neither did Ivan.
Some victories arrived too late to restore what had been taken.
Outside, reporters screamed questions.
Jessi ignored them.
She walked directly toward Ivan.
Then hugged him.
“I couldn't have done it without you.”
“Yes, you could.”
She pulled back.
“Why do you always argue?”
“You pay attention when I do.”
“I don't pay you anymore.”
“Old habit.”
She laughed through tears.
Then Fiona ran toward them.
For the first time since Ivan had opened that forbidden office door, there was no enemy waiting around the corner.
May you like
But there was still one question neither Ivan nor Jessi had been brave enough to answer.
What were they now?
