Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
“Great.” Sean looked away from her and addressed the judge, “Your Honor, I would like to call a new witness to testify in Sophia Kirkman’s contract killing case.”
The audience exchanged curious looks upon hearing Sean’s remark. Sophia’s heart raced as she turned to Simon in a panic.
Simon, meanwhile, was confused by Sean’s approach. However, he kept his composure. As a veteran in court, he was confident in solving any crisis that arose.
Steven nodded with a serious face. “Bring in the new witness.”
The heavy doors groaned and creaked. A tired-looking woman with gray hair appeared in everyone’s vision. The middle-aged woman was dressed in a rather frumpy and even ragged outfit.
Sophia twisted in panic when she set sight on that ordinary-looking woman. She collapsed against the dock railing, making a loud rattling noise. Had she not held tightly to the railing, she would not be able to prop herself up.
The new witness, Tessa Flores, was the maid she had discreetly dispatched to Rolanda. Why would Tessa show up in court? Puzzled, Sophia thought she had hired people to keep tabs on the maid every year.
Even when Sophia was under detention, she had entrusted the matter under Betty’s care. How did the plaintiff’s defense get their hands on Tessa and make her testify in court?
She thought, “This must be a hoax. Sean must have hired an actress to play Tessa.”
A thought suddenly occurred to Sophia. She turned her bloodshot eyes in Jeremy’s direction. It so happened that Jeremy was staring at her with a burning, unreadable gaze.
Things finally fell into place for Sophia. Jeremy must have forced Tessa to testify against Sophia after quietly removing the men Sophia had hired to monitor Tessa.
No one except Jeremy would pull off such a decisive and calculative move.
Sophia’s mind raced as she tried to come up with a strategy.
In the end, she came to a conclusion. It had been 20 years since the incident, and 20 years had already passed. So what if Tessa was here to give her statement?
She hadn’t witnessed the entire incident with her own eyes. All the evidence was also long gone.
The thought of that made Sophia feel more at ease. She straightened her back slowly.
Javier stared at Tessa in surprise. For a number of years, Tessa attended closely to his beloved Anne. Despite that, he couldn’t recall who she was.
Alyssa’s heart was pounding. The pace of her breathing had become uneven. Fortunately, she had Jeremy by her side. He had his arm around her waist.
He comforted her in silence. It helped her calm her racing heart.
She wasn’t the type of person to lose her patience. This time, however, was different. This was something related to the person she loved the most. It was a crucial fight.
This deep-seated hatred had been building up for 20 years. Karma had to be served today.
Tessa hurried to the witness stand. Both her legs were shaking like jelly under the table. She didn’t take a single glance at the public gallery. She didn’t even dare to look at Sophia either.
Steven took a look at the witness’ information. His pupils constricted. He then asked in his usual manner, “Witness, please state your name.”
“Tessa… Tessa Flores,” she answered fearfully.
Steven said, “I took a look at your particulars. You worked as a helper with the Walsh family 20 years ago.”
Javier widened his eyes in shock.
At this moment, he suddenly recalled that that woman was indeed one of their helpers. She was Anne’s personal helper!
After Anne passed away, she had given an excuse and resigned. He had completely forgotten about this insignificant person. So, he had never expected to see her in court. Not just that, she was now appearing as a witness.
Javier’s heart wrenched at the thought of Anne. Subconsciously, he clutched at his lapel.
Tessa nodded. She answered, “That’s right. I was working at the Walsh’s’ Seaview Manor 20 years ago. I was the late Mrs. Walsh, Mr. Jeremy’s mother, Anne Bartley’s helper. I was responsible for looking after Madam Anne’s daily living.”
This name had been buried for 20 years. It was the name of someone who was no longer around. It was now a name that was unfamiliar to most.
Though, Jeremy was an exception. His eyes turned red, and they welled up. The tears in his eyes toned down the burning hatred in his eyes.
Simon scoffed. He thought that they had just gotten a nobody to take the witness stand. To him, they were just being desperate and were merely complicating matters.
“I have a question for the plaintiff’s attorney. How is your witness relevant to this case?”
Everyone’s eyes were focused on Sean. Silas had a fiery look in his eyes. He was worried yet highly anticipating Sean’s upcoming performance.
Sean disregarded Simon. He walked to Tessa’s side and stated confidently, “Judge Lynch, frankly speaking, my witness does not have anything to do with this case.”
Upon hearing that, Simon couldn’t hide the look of disdain on his face.
However, his smugness didn’t last for long. What Sean said next made his and everyone else’s jaws drop.
“But, she is someone who is able to testify to Sophia’s involvement with a murder that happened 20 years ago.”
“At the Walsh family’s Seaview Manor 20 years ago, Anne Bartley fell to her death. At the time, the authorities concluded that it was a suicide. The Walsh’s wanted to minimize any impact. So, they chose to close the case hastily.
“But now, I can declare with certainty that Anne Bartley didn’t commit suicide. She was murdered! And Sophia was the one who killed her!”
There was an uproar in the courtroom. This took the entire nation by surprise!
In an instant, all the blood had drained from Javier’s face. He felt as if his seat had been set ablaze. Without a care for anything else, he shot to his feet. He looked at Sophia in disbelief.
Anne… Didn’t she commit suicide because she had severe depression? Why had it become a homicide?
How could Sophia be the murderer? She was the woman with whom he had shared the same bed for 20 years!
“I. I didn’t. It wasn’t me!” Sophia met Javier’s gaze. She shook her head while crying.
Jeremy diverted his cold gaze toward Javier slowly. He noticed that Javier’s face was as pale as a sheet. Deep down, Jeremy was full of bitterness and resentment. He couldn’t help but let out a piercingly cold sneer.
Javier was a frigid man. Until now, Jeremy had never seen him express any heartbrokenness over Anne. But, more than that, he felt doubtful.
Javier wasn’t feeling disturbed because of his love for Sophia. He was merely unwilling to accept that he had trusted the wrong person. He couldn’t believe that he had been married to a murderer for 20 years!
Simon’s ears had started ringing. He felt as if he had been hit at the back of his head with a hammer.
Without a doubt, Sean had taken him by surprise. Throughout his years of experience, he had never seen a situation as such. This was a trial for murder-for-hire. How did Jeremy’s mother’s case become entangled in this?
If Sophia had indeed committed murder, he would also be implicated. His name would end up being dragged through the mud.
So, Simon shouted in an urgent voice, “Judge Lynch! This witness has nothing to do with this case. She should be impeached!”
While Steven was hesitating, Sean took the opportunity to chime in, “Judge Lynch, according to the defense attorney’s claim earlier, it was impossible for Sophia to murder the victim. The reason was that she was an educated and highly moral woman. She is also the wife of a plutocrat.
“However, the witness I’ve summoned can testify that the defense attorney’s claims were deceiving. He only said that so that the defendant could be acquitted.
“This means that this witness’ statement isn’t completely irrelevant to the case. Her statement can become a reference point in this case!”
Finally, Steven gave in. He nodded slightly and said, “Then, counsel, you may both proceed with questioning the witness.”
Simon was so pissed off that his expression had turned dark.
Tessa took a peek at Jeremy sitting solemnly in the gallery. She was reminded of his intimidation. She didn’t dare to hide anything any longer.
She revealed everything about the hidden past. She said, “Back then… I looked after Madam Anne’s day-to-day life. I did this under Mr. Javier’s orders. At that time, Sophia was just Mr. Javier’s mistress.
“She then became pregnant with his child. Because of that, she was temporarily accepted into the Walsh family. Even so, Mr. Walsh Senior hadn’t truly acknowledged her.”
Sophia’s face flushed red at the word “mistress”. It was as if her shame was written all over her face. She couldn’t help but roar angrily, “Who did you just call a ‘mistress’? Who were you referring to?
“I wasn’t a mistress! I am legitimately Mrs. Walsh! I am Javier Walsh’s wife! Anne was the one who was the mistress! She was the one who stole my man!”
Javier’s expression was foreboding. He wished that he could order one of his men to rush forward and shut Sophia up!
Why didn’t he cherish Anne when she was by his side? She was such a gentle and virtuous woman. Instead, he had gotten himself involved with an ungrateful woman whose desires could never be placated!
“She’s mad. She’s delusional.”
Sophia had a vile look on her face. Alyssa stared at her coldly. She shook her head and mocked, “She was the one who stole from others. Yet, she’s insisting that he was hers.
“I’m amazed at how shameless she is. It’s no wonder she could bow and scrape to stay on with your family. She was even willing to be with Javier without getting married to him.”
“Her subservience was just a guise back then. Mom wouldn’t have died such a horrible death if Sophia was truly willing to yield.”