Chapter 4
I stepped back, picked up the microphone again, and let my gaze sweep the entire courtroom. My voice wasn’t loud, but every word hit like a hammer.
“The real destroyer here isn’t me. It’s certain people who steal their wife’s work while building up their mistress, standing before the law and passing off plagiarized material as their own genius creation.”
“Mr. Sterling,” I looked right at him, smiling serenely, “who exactly do you think I’m talking about?”
Marcus’s face went from dark red to ghostly pale.]
The courtroom chaos was like boiling water that wouldn’t settle.]
The judge banged his gavel hard
“Order!”
His stern gaze swept over us and finally landed on Marcus.
“Expert consultant for plaintiff, are you indeed married to defense counsel?”
Marcus’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gave a painful nod.
“Yes.“]]
The gallery erupted.
“This constitutes a serious conflict of interest,” the judge said sternly. “Why didn’t you disclose this before proceedings began?”
Marcus opened his mouth but couldn’t get a single word out.[]
What could he say?
That he was here to sabotage his own wife for his mistress?]
Nora was whiter than paper, swaying on her feet, only staying upright because Marcus was holding her up.
“Given this development that could seriously compromise judicial fairness….
“This court is now in recessi“]]
The gavel fell again, marking my first victory.
I packed up my things and walked calmly out of the courtroom under countless stares.
Marcus didn’t follow
He had his own problems to deal with
But I’d underestimated just how shameless he could be, and how fast he’d strike hack]
Less than three hours later, the internet exploded.
An article titled “SHOCKING! Prominent Female Attorney Stages “Husband trending on every social platform.
Drama in Court to Win Case” was
Written by some popular legal blogger.
Sharp writing, but dripping with malice.
The article painted me as an unhinged woman who’d lost her mind over a failed marriage []
A vindictive character who’d leak her ex husband’s private business and attack colleagues just to win a case]
It included several photos]
One was a “vicious, expression they’d caught me making while questioning Marcus.]
Another showed Nora sheltered behind Marcus, tears streaming down her face, looking utterly pitiful.]]
The third was Marcus facing the camera, eyes tired and full of “helplessness” and “heartbreak.“[]
Below the article was an anonymous interview with Marcus.]
“Our relationship has been troubled for a long time. We’ve been separated for months.“]
“I never imagined she’d use such extreme methods for revenge.”
“That so–called examination outline was just some rough ideas I had when we discussed cases at home, which she wrote down.”
“She’s twisting the facts to win, deliberately attacking my and Attorney Lopez’s professionalism.“]
“Nora is an incredibly talented junior colleague. I don’t want her slandered because of me.“[]
Every sentence was designed to nail me to a pillar of shame as someone who’d use any means necessary, who couldn’t separate personal from professional
The comments were brutal.]
[This Harper chick is terrifying. Really shows someone’s character when relationships end.
[Feel so bad for Marcus, stuck with an ex–wife like that.)
Poor Nora, getting dragged into this mess.]]
[]
[Using marital relationships to attack opponents? Where’s this lawyer’s professional ethics?||
Public opinion cuts deeper than courtroom swords.]
My phone was ringing nonstop.
Firm partners, clients, friends, even random internet trolls who’d somehow gotten my number.]
Vivian burst into my office, shoving her phone at me.
“Look, Sterling & Associates just released a statement.”
The statement said Marcus Sterling would be “stepping back from all duties for personal reasons” and “cooperating with investigations.”
Sounded fair, but it was really just cutting him loose.[]
“They’re framing this as your personal vendetta, keeping the firm clean,” Vivian said bluntly.[]
“Letting Marcus drag you down alone.”
Huh, Marcus, you think you can destroy me with public opinion as your weapon?
You’re seriously underestimating me.]
I picked up my phone and dialed the number Vivian had given me.]
“Hello, is this Reporter Zane?“]
“This is Harper.”
“I have some of Attorney Lopez’s private diary entries. I think you’d find them very interesting.”
