"And did she design the company logo as she claims? Thorne asked, smirking. "At that, Richard laughed, a harsh barking sound. "No. I paid a design firm in London $50,000 for that logo.
Elena can barely draw a stick figure. The idea that she helped build my empire is frankly insulting to my intelligence and hard work. Thank you, Mr. Sterling, Thorne said. No further questions. Judge Vance looked at Elena.
His face was unreadable, a mask of stone. Miss Elena, do you wish to cross-examine the witness? Elena stood up. Her legs felt heavy, but she looked at her father, though nobody else knew he was her father, and saw a tiny, almost imperceptible nod. It gave her strength.
"Yes, your honor," she walked to the podium. "Richard," Elena began, her voice steady. "You claim I didn't work on the books. Do you remember the night of December 14th, 2019? Richard frowned.
I don't keep a calendar of every irrelevant night. That was the night the IRS audit came through, Elena said loudly, turning to the gallery. You were panic-stricken. You were crying on the kitchen floor because your previous accountant had messed up the payroll taxes. Who stayed up for three days straight refiling 3 years of tax returns to save you from prison.
I—I hired a consultant, Richard stammered, looking at his lawyer. What was the consultant's name? Elena pressed. I don't remember. It was years ago.
Was the consultant's name Elena Sterling? She asked. And is it true that you promised me 10% of the company stock in exchange for fixing that mess? A promise written on a napkin. Objection, Thorne shouted, jumping up.
There is no record of this napkin hearsay. I have it right here, Elena said calmly. She pulled a small coffee-stained cocktail napkin out of a clear plastic bag. She held it up. Signed by Richard Sterling, dated December 17th, 2019.
To Elena for saving my life. 10% is yours. The courtroom gasped. Cameras flashed blindingly. Richard turned red.
That's a forgery. She faked it. Judge Vance leaned over the bench. Bailiff, bring that evidence to me. The bailiff handed the napkin to the judge.
Vance put on a pair of reading glasses. He studied the signature. He looked at Richard. "Mr. Sterling," Vance said, his voice dangerously low. "This signature matches the one on your affidavit perfectly.
Are you stating under oath that this is a forgery? Richard began to sweat. He tugged at his collar. "Clearly, she traced it. Or—or I was drunk.
It doesn't count if I was drunk, right? That is not how contract law works, Mr. Sterling. Vance said dryly. And you just admitted you might have signed it, contradicting your statement 10 seconds ago that it was a forgery. You are skating on thin ice.
It doesn't matter. Richard shouted, losing his cool. She signed the prenup after that. The prenup cancels everything. It says she gets nothing.
Nothing. We will get to the prenup. Vance said, "Sit down, Mr. Sterling. You are dismissed for now. Richard stormed back to his table.
Jessica leaned over, whispering frantically. "You idiot," she hissed. Why didn't you tell me about the napkin? I forgot about it. It was 5 years ago.
Richard snapped back. Don't worry. Thorne will fix it. We just need to humiliate her. Make her look crazy.
Leave that to me. Jessica smiled, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Mr. Thorne, call your next witness," Judge Vance commanded. "We call Jessica Marlo to the stand," Thorne announced. Jessica stood up smoothing her white dress.
She walked to the stand like it was a runway, flipping her hair. She sat down and smiled sweetly at the judge. "State your name for the record," the bailiff said. "Jessica Marlo, future Mrs. Sterling," she said, winking at Richard. "Miss Marlo," Thorne began.
"You have spent a lot of time with Mr. Sterling and the defendant. How would you describe Miss Elena's behavior in the last year? Oh, it was terrifying. Jessica lied effortlessly. She put her hand to her chest.
She was paranoid, obsessive. She would call Richard 50 times a day. She accused him of having affairs with everyone, the maid, the secretary, me. She was delusional. Once she threw a vase at him because he was 5 minutes late for dinner.
Elena stood up. That's a lie. I never threw anything. Order. Judge Vance banged the gavel.
Ms. Elena, you will have your turn. Jessica smirked. See, she's aggressive. She's unstable. Honestly, Richard and I were just friends until she pushed him away with her craziness.
We only found comfort in each other after the marriage was already dead. Ms. Marlo. Thorne smiled. "Did Miss Elena ever threaten you? "Yes," Jessica sniffled, wiping a fake tear.
"The night she left, she told me I would regret this. She looked at me with such hate. I've been afraid to sleep alone in the mansion. I had to hire extra security. "Thank you, Miss Marlo," Thorne said.
Judge Vance looked at Jessica. He stared at her for a long time. It was an uncomfortable silence. Miss Elena, Vance said. Cross-examination.
Elena looked at Jessica. She knew there was no point in asking questions. Jessica was a pathological liar. Elena simply shook her head. No questions, your honor.
The truth is obvious. Very well, Vance said. The court will take a 15-minute recess before we review the financial assets. Everyone remain in the building. Judge Vance stood up and exited through the door behind the bench.