Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Sophia couldn’t stop trembling. She bit her lip hard.
“I am asking you the question for no other reason than to increase our chance at winning. You need to be honest with me. Give me your full trust and cooperation. I need to know everything about you so that I can stand undefeated in court.”
She cackled in an eerie manner. “Mr. Lynch, are you trying to help me, or are you trying to protect your professional record?”
Simon hated it when people questioned his motive, but he had to coax Sophia because of her status. “Getting you out is more important than upholding my reputation.”
“Enough. I do not trust any one of you attorneys!” Feeling anxious, Sophia shook her legs like she was in a seizure. “If I tell you, you’ll use it against me one day. I’ve seen this shameless behavior many times in my life. Don’t you ever dream of fooling me!”
Frowning, he pressed on, “From the sound of it, you were involved in other murders before. Is that right?”
“No, I did not! Never! Don’t slander me!” she agitatedly wailed like a madwoman as she rose from her seat.
“Alright. Alright. Good to know.” Simon leaned backward into the chair, fearing that Sophia might attack him.
The audience filled the seats in the court for Sophia’s trial. The public trial was to be live-streamed on the court’s official website. Still, Javier, in an attempt to prevent suspicious individuals from sneaking in, had hired acquaintances from the Walsh Group and the legal profession to fill the seats.
Apart from Javier, Betty, who had been out of the public eye, was summoned to appear. Naturally, she was reluctant to show up at a trial. Plus, she had no feelings left for Sophia anymore.
“Dad, why do you insist that I come? The reporters are going to make up stories about me again!” she snapped in a shrill voice, her brows knitted. “I dare not even step out of the house or show up at any parties because I don’t want to be laughed at! Having her as my mom is a great source of shame!”
“Who’s laughing at the daughter of the Walsh family? All things aside, Sophia is your mother. As a daughter, you should show up and offer moral support. How could you say those heartless words?” Javier, seated in the front row, chided Betty sternly.
Betty asked in distress, “Why am I the only one here? How about Lauren?”
“Don’t you know Lauren’s condition? She can’t show up to a trial because it’s triggering for her. As the eldest, you should be understanding of Lauren instead of complaining all the time.” Javier shook his head, looking displeased.
Betty fell silent but secretly grumbled to herself, “You’re only defending that dumb bitch because Landon Harper has her back.”
“Just wait and see. One day…” Betty’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Javier and Betty spun around to look at the visitors, only for their faces to fall.
Jeremy and Alyssa had showed up at court, followed by a few members of the Taylor family¡ªJonah Cyrus, Tatiana, and Winston’s three wives. They expressed their support for the victim through their actions.
Landon would have shown up to express his support at such a critical time, but he decided to keep Lauren company at home because the case involved Lauren’s mother. He worried Lauren might suffer a breakdown when she learned about the details.
Betty clenched her jaw as her eyes rested on Alyssa, but the latter did not pay any attention to her at all. With no way to release her anger, Betty raged on silently.
Alyssa wore light makeup for the trial and a white pantsuit with her self-designed sapphire brooch on the chest. She carried herself with elegance and class.
Jeremy stood tall beside her in a smart and tailored black suit, accentuating his figure and authority.
They took the seats in the first row. The aisle seemed like a huge divide that set them apart from the Walsh’s.
“Dad, look what Jeremy is doing! What’s in his mind?” Betty did not miss the chance to drive a wedge between the father and son. “How dare he stand on our opposite and sit with the Taylors as the president of the Walsh Group? He’s humiliating you and making the Walsh Group a laughingstock!”
Javier gritted his teeth as he fumed with resentment.
“Lyla, the day has finally arrived.” Colene clasped Lyla’s hand and teared up when she thought back on Lyla’s suffering.
Lyla inhaled deeply and gave her a light nod with a nervous heart. Anne and Nina had been waiting for this day, just like she did.
She had never dreamed that she would see Sophia in court for the judgment. Putting aside the outcome, she was glad to see Sophia held accountable.
“Karma is real. Sophia will receive her punishment for the crimes she committed,” Mandy comforted Lyla gently as she clasped Lyla’s free hand.
She set an icy gaze on the defendant’s seat.
Alyssa overheard the conversation among her three stepmothers. Instead of feeling relieved, she grappled with a heavier heart.
This was the final showdown, and she would not back off. She would not be satisfied with a 10-year, 20year, or even a life sentence for Sophia. She wanted Sophia to be handed the death sentence, for she wanted an eye for an eye.
Each of her movements tugged at Jeremy’s heartstrings. Soon, he picked up on her anxiety and hurriedly held her hand. Then, their fingers interlocked.
He comforted her, “Lyse, don’t panic. We need to have trust in Steven and Sean. We will win this fight.”
She looked up into his alluring eyes as her racing heart gradually calmed down.
“Jonah, don’t you have an important meeting to attend at the KS Group? Why did you show up? What about the company?” Cyrus questioned with an astonished expression.
“It’s fine. Dad is at the meeting,” Jonah replied while quietly casting a loving gaze at Alyssa. “I came over because I was worried about Lyse and wanted to lend a hand if any emergency arises.”
“Woah, Jonah, you’re doting on her like she’s your daughter,” Cyrus complimented Jonah earnestly as he stared conflictedly at Alyssa and Jeremy. “But we’re not going to have many opportunities to stay by her side. Now that she has her protector, she will not need us as much.”
“Such is life. Ever since her 18th birthday, I braced for the day she no longer needs me.” Jonah was flooded with memories of Alyssa’s smiling face. Despite the bitterness, he only had blessings for Alyssa instead of envy. “Isn’t it nice that we can entrust her to Jeremy? It’s also about time we ‘retire’ from her life.”
The murmurs ceased after the plaintiff, the attorneys, and the prosecutor filed into the court. Sean and Simon took their seats on both sides, the tension between them palpable.
“Sean, good luck!” Tatiana whispered as she stared keenly at Sean’s dashing and spirited figure.
Sitting upright, she felt her nerves tingling.
Silas, dressed in his uniform, marched to his seat. His sharp brows exuded an air of authority, adding to the pressure in the room.
“Ah! Do you guys feel the same?” Colene swooned at Silas. “Doesn’t he look super handsome in court? If all the public prosecutors look like Silas, I’ll willingly get into trouble once in a while just to go to court!”
Her remark left Lyla and Tatiana speechless.
Meanwhile, Mandy looked exasperated by Colene’s antics. She playfully reminded Colene, “Can you act like a married woman for once? What do you take the court as, a host club that you can visit as you wish?”
Silas reflexively glanced at the public gallery, where he found his family in presence. Despite being a veteran in court who carried himself with a heart of steel, he couldn’t help but feel touched at the sight.
In this trial, not only was he responsible for seeking justice for the victim and representing the country in prosecuting the culprit, but he also bore the heavy expectations of his family.
At the last moment, a slim figure sneaked past the gaps of the closing door. Silas’ attention was once again drawn to the back of the public gallery.
Soon, he felt his chest tighten before his heart raced like crazy. He spotted Rose sitting at the last row, dressed inconspicuously in a khaki-colored pantsuit. As half of her face was covered behind her sunglasses, he couldn’t make out her expression and had no idea whether or not she was looking at him.
Even so, he felt an adrenaline rush. Excitement coursed through his veins, charging him with energy.
The door to the right opened. Two policewomen emerged with Sophia, dressed in a prisoner’s uniform and handcuffed. Following Sophia, Jeffrey was brought to court as well.
Sophia glared sharply at Jeffrey, but her demeanor changed completely when she turned to Javier. Tearing up, she put on a pitiful look in front of Javier.
Except for the audience members hired by Javier, every other individual in the public gallery directed hateful looks at Sophia. Even Betty glared disdainfully at Sophia, who had always been thinking of ways to sell her off.
Sophia had made the necessary preparations for her court appearance. She had asked to use the restroom before the trial, where she touched up her face to make herself appear like a pale, tortured woman. Topped with her pitiful look, she could convince almost anyone.
As expected, when Javier met her pleading gaze, he was instantly transported back to the day of their first encounter. His steeled heart started to waver.
“You evil bitch! I want you to take responsibility for killing Nina! An eye for an eye!” Gemma struggled to keep her emotions in check when Sophia showed up. Quivering, she growled and sobbed, touching the hearts of the audience.
However, Sophia, acting like she was innocent, teared up and shook her head helplessly. Whatever happened in the public trial would be captured by the media. Thus, Sophia considered it a theatrical play, where she took the lead role.
Before the trial, Simon had promised her with confidence that she would not be charged. All she needed to do was to cooperate with him and act her part.
“Madam, calm down! Take a deep breath!” Sean rushed over to Gemma.
Alyssa, noticing that Gemma had turned white in a seizure-like attack, stood up and yelled, “Get the emergency oxygen! Ms. Pell is about to go into shock. She needs oxygen!”
The security staff followed her instructions and administered oxygen to Gemma, which helped to alleviate the symptoms.
At that moment, the presiding judge, Steven Lynch, appeared in a judge’s robe and took his seat. He felt a little bitter at the sight of the faceoff between Simon and Sean in court.
“Wow, the presiding judge is Steven Lynch, the second Lynch son!” Colene shook Mandy’s shoulders. Mandy nearly barfed from all the shaking.
Colene continued, “Mandy, do you think Steven Lynch would give Sean trouble? Is there anyone decent in the Lynch family apart from Sean? I highly doubt that!”
Mandy patted Colene’s hand and addressed her sternly, “It should be fine. I looked into Steven’s history, and he’s worked his way up from the professional exams to become a judge without any help from his father.
“He does not have any history of getting cozy with the tycoons. He certainly sounds much better than his dad! I believe he’ll uphold justice in this case.”
The highly anticipated trial finally commenced.
“The First Circuit Court of Solana City will hold a trial today in accordance with the law on the charges brought against defendants Jeffrey Snyder and Sophia Kirkman for contract killing. The plaintiff’s defense will present the case next.”
As Gemma was in her 80s, she had exhausted all her energy just by showing up in court. Sean had to speak on her behalf.