Chapter 23 - THE TRIAL BEGINS WITH TWO FALSE LETTERS
The courtroom was ordinary.
That disappointed reporters who wanted chandeliers and men in black suits whispering threats.
I wore one dark suit.
No bodyguards inside.
Octavia wore pearls.
Of course.
The prosecution began with the false documents.
Laboratory director:
No test.
No case number.
No samples.
Forensic examiner:
My signature copied from a board consent.
Maeve’s signature copied from the real payment agreement.
Then the two letters.
One to me.
One to her.
Opposite stories.
Then internal note:
Never allow them to compare stories.
The defense argued family-office language could be shorthand.
The prosecutor let the documents speak.
Then the payment agreement.
The jury saw:
$2,000,000.
The prosecutor immediately clarified:
“This was not two million dollars paid in cash.”
Good.
Structured maximum.
Then accountant Anne Kell.
She walked through money without theatrics.
How much in.
How much to Maeve.
How much legitimate expenses.
How much diverted.
How much remained.
No giant stolen fortune claim.
That precision made Octavia’s manipulation harder to dismiss.
Then the club.
Video.
Chain.
Staff.
Audio memo.
May you like
“Then he’ll learn faster.”
No need increase volume.
