Chapter 10
Ryan initially refused.
That incident was a scar carved deep in his memory.
He didn’t want to reopen it.
“Ms. Jenkins, it’s been so many years,” his voice on the phone was weary. “I have my life now. I don’t want any more involvement with him.”
“Mr. Johson, this isn’t involvement,” I said seriously.
“This is overdue justice.”
“Marcus didn’t just ruin your life–these past years, he’s used the same methods to destroy more people, more companies.”
“This time, we have a complete chain of evidence to stop him from hurting anyone ever again.“[]
“Your testimony is the final blow to bring him down.”
“You’re not just doing this for yourself, but for everyone he’s harmed.“]
Ryan went silent on the other end.
After a long pause, he sighed deeply]
“Alright.”
“I’ll testify in court.”
With Ryan joining us, the game was completely won.
Mr. Foster, Ryan, and I formed an “Avengers alliance.“[]
The commercial fraud case from three years ago was reopened for investigation.[]
Marcus’s crimes of forging evidence and framing competitors were completely confirmed.
Next, the Bar Association’s disciplinary hearing convened.]]
Nora, as a cooperating witness, completely revealed all her dealings with Marcus.
Ryan also testified as a special witness, describing the complete process of Marcus’s academic plagiarism and presenting the original research data he’d preserved from back then.]]
The evidence was ironclad.]
Marcus was immediately disbarred.]
What awaited him was criminal trial with multiple charges.]
Sterling & Associates, once an industry giant, saw its reputation destroyed by this scandal, lost massive numbers of clients, and finally declared bankruptcy.]
A commercial empire collapsed in ruins.
On the day of the final sentencing. I went to court.
Not as an attorney, but as an ordinary observer in the gallery.]
Marcus stood in the defendant’s dock wearing prison clothes, head shaved.]
He was much thinner and more haggard, completely lacking his former high spirits.]
When the judge sentenced him to fifteen years for perjury, obstruction of justice, commercial fraud, and other charges…
He collapsed completely, held up only by the bailiffs.
His gaze passed through the crowd and finally landed on me.]
In those eyes were shock, unwillingness, regret, and a plea I couldn’t understand.[]
After the hearing ended. I walked out
Passing by him, he suddenly struggled and shouted.
“Harper!”
I stopped but didn’t turn around.
“Why?” His voice was hoarse as sandpaper. “After all these years together, why did you have to be so ruthless?“]
I finally turned around and looked at him calmly.]
“Marcus, do you know what I regret most?“]
He star
at me blankly.
“I don’t regret loving you.”
“I regret that it took me so many years to see what kind of person you really are.”
“You ask why I was so ruthless?”
“Because this is what you deserve.“]
I didn’t say another word. I turned and walked out of the courthouse through countless camera flashes.
As for Nora, she received probation for her significant cooperation.]
Her legal career was completely over.
I heard she left the city and returned to her hometown
No one
one’s heard from her since.]]
Mr. William’s company, after clearing its name, received substantial government support funding and is preparing for a comeback
Ryan became a partner in the new company, handling the technical development he excelled at.
He called to thank me formally.[]
“Ms. Jenkins, thank you,” he said. “You not only helped me get justice but also helped me resolve years of inner turmoil.“]
“I should thank you for being willing to come forward,” I replied with a smile.
Life seemed to be getting back on track.
My firm gained tremendous recognition from this spectacular comeback, with business multiplying several times over.[]
Vivian became my most capable partner
Together, we won case after case.
Occasionally, I still thought of Marcus
Thought of that pen engraved with “H.J. & M.S.”
Thought of how he used to call me “my sunshine.“]
But there was no more love in my heart, not even much hate left.]
To me, he was just a criminal stranger now. The most successful case of my career.]
One weekend, I was deep cleaning at home alone.[
In a corner of the study, I found a dusty box.]
Inside were photos of Marcus and me, from college to marriage, a thick stack.
Looking at myself in the photos, smiling so happily, I felt somewhat dazed.
Without hesitation, I fed all the photos into the shredder.
Watching those memories of the past become irreparable strips.[]
I felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
My phone rang. It was Vivian
“Hey superstar lawyer, what are you up to?”
“Celebrating rebirth,” I answered.]
That definitely calls for celebration! Dinner tonight, and I’m introducing you to a hottie!” she teases the other end.
Capon 10
I laughed.]
After hanging up, I walked to the window, looking at the bustling traffic outside.[]
Sunlight streamed through the glass onto my face, warm and comforting.]
My sunshine had always been there.]
It never needed anyone else to provide it.[]
