Chapter 18

"Objection, Your Honor!" Reece exclaimed, "This suggestion is absolutely reprehensible. I will not accept any suggestion to harm my client in the courtroom to protect her dignity."

The judge seemed to dislike the idea as well, so he said, "Mr. Anders, this is a court, not a circus. Your suggestion is denied."

I clenched my fists until my nails dug into my skin. I understood that Rowan was barbaric and heartless, but I hadn’t expected him and his lawyer to go this far.

To suggest harming a victim of abuse? Ridiculous.

Only a truly heartless person would suggest such a thing in court.

I turned slightly to look at Zephyr. He was the one who had told me not to show my emotions in court, but he looked even angrier than I felt.

He looked like he wanted to punch Rowan right in the face.

"Thank you, Your Honor." Reece nodded, then continued, "To corroborate the evidence, I have submitted an affidavit from a former housemaid who worked at Mr. Fell’s house for three years."

Rowan’s face darkened. He had fired the maid who sympathized too much with me and sent her abroad last year.

But how could she come back without him knowing?

He growled, then looked back at his filthy rich uncle. If there was anyone who could get her back immediately and protect her, it had to be Zephyr.

Mr. Anders said, "Your Honor, while the affidavit is compelling, it remains a written statement. We request that this witness be brought into court for cross-examination to test the credibility of her testimony."

Reece smiled faintly. "Your Honor, the witness is indeed in court today. With your permission, I’d like to call her to the stand."

A middle-aged woman suddenly rose from her chair. She covered her face with a scarf so Rowan couldn’t recognize her earlier.

The judge nodded. "Permission granted. Call the witness to the stand."

Reece gestured to the woman. "Please state your name for the record."

"My name is Carla Francis," she said, her voice calm. "I worked as a housemaid for Mr. Fell for three years."

My eyes softened as I looked at Carla. When I lived with Rowan, she had been the only maid who had cared for me and comforted me when I wanted to cry.

She cared for me so much that she bravely confronted Rowan when he tried to hit me. Her action infuriated Rowan, who immediately fired her and punished me more severely that night.

Reece approached. "Carla, can you confirm the details of the affidavit you filed regarding the abuse you witnessed?"

Carla looked at me, her eyes softening. "Yes, I can confirm it. I saw Mrs. Cole’s injuries on several occasions. I also heard Mr. Fell threaten her, saying that no one would believe her if she tried to report him."

Mr. Anders quickly interjected, "Your Honor, we contend that this testimony could be biased, considering Carla was fired by Mr. Fell."

Carla looked directly at the judge. "I was fired because I refused to turn a blind eye to the abuse. I tried to stop Mr. Fell when he was about to beat Mrs. Cole when she had passed out, but he threatened to destroy my life instead."

"He forcibly sent me abroad and would not even let me return to this country to see my family."

Carla gave Rowan a sharp look. "If someone hadn’t helped me and guaranteed my protection, I might have died as soon as I crossed the border."

The tension in the courtroom grew. I bit my inner lip, fighting back tears as Carla’s words brought back memories I had tried to suppress.

If Zephyr hadn’t helped me find Carla, I might have carried the guilt for the rest of my life for letting Rowan hurt the one person who cared about me.

The judge leaned forward. "Mr. Lawson, continue your questioning, but make sure the testimony stays relevant and factual."

Reece nodded. "Carla, do you have any physical evidence to support your testimony?"

Carla reached into her pocket and pulled out a small notebook. "I have been keeping a record of the dates and details of the abuse I have witnessed, in the hope that one day it might help Mrs. Cole."

Reece handed the notebook to the court. "Your Honor, this is additional evidence to support my client’s claims."

The judge looked at the notebook briefly before handing it to the clerk. "This evidence will be considered."

Rowan’s jaw tensed, his usual composure beginning to crack. For the first time, the courtroom felt like it was slipping out of his control.

Mr. Anders cleared his throat before speaking, "Your Honor, we can’t ignore the possibility that this notebook was fabricated."

Carla said, "Your Honor, I wrote the notebook as soon as I witnessed each incident in detail. If I forged it, how could some of the ink have faded? If necessary, I am willing to submit the notebook for forensic analysis to prove its authenticity."

I couldn’t help but feel touched that Carla would go to such lengths to defend me. I didn’t even know that she had made the notebook for me.

The Judge said, "That will be considered. Mr. Anders, unless you have tangible evidence of fabrication, I suggest we continue with the testimony for now."

Anders adjusted his tie, looking a little frustrated. "Very well, Your Honor."

Reece gestured for Carla to continue. "Carla, can you describe a specific incident you witnessed in detail?"

Carla nodded solemnly. "I remember one night when Mr. Fell came home late. He brought home a young woman, a human woman I suppose. They both reeked of alcohol and made love in the living room."

"I heard their voices and came out of my room. I told the young woman to leave immediately, but Mr. Fell threw a vase over my head instead."

Rowan had made a habit of bringing random women into our home, but that night I was fed up with his infidelity. I simply asked them to make love outside, find a hotel, or whatever, so I didn’t have to witness my husband’s disgusting behavior.

But Rowan was furious. He shouted at me and then threw a flower vase and a glass at my head.

Carla’s voice trembled slightly as she continued, "The vase hit her head and she collapsed on the floor, bleeding. I tried to intervene, but Mr. Fell told me to leave the room. He said if I stayed, I’d suffer the same fate."

The courtroom was eerily silent, Carla’s words causing hatred to grow in everyone’s heart, especially Zephyr’s.

Reece asked, "Carla, did you see what happened after Mrs. Cole was hurt?"

Carla nodded. "Yes. Mr. Fell dragged her back into her bedroom while she was still bleeding. I tried to call for help but the house phone had been disconnected and my cell phone had been confiscated earlier that week."

Reece turned to the judge. "Your Honor, this testimony is crucial. It shows not only Mr. Fell’s physical abuse but also the control and isolation he imposed on Mrs. Cole and the household staff."

Mr. Anders immediately said, "Your Honor, I object. This testimony is hearsay and lacks corroborative evidence."

"What evidence do you need again?" Reece started to lose his patience. "A woman had been abused for five years by her husband and how dare you call her a liar when the evidence is in front of your eyes?"

The judge interrupted, "Mr. Lawson, please do not let emotion guide your argument. This court values facts and evidence above all else."

Reece took a deep breath and adjusted his tone. "My apologies, Your Honor." He glanced at me briefly before continuing, "But it’s incredibly frustrating to see a victim’s suffering questioned when we’ve provided testimony and evidence that perfectly matches her claims."

The judge considered his words, then took his gavel. "Because there is new evidence that needs to be thoroughly reviewed, the trial of Mrs. Cole and Mr. Fell will be adjourned to allow both parties adequate time to analyze the submissions and prepare their arguments."

He glanced between Reece and Mr. Anders. "Both attorneys will submit their written responses to the new evidence within five business days. We will reconvene next Friday at 9:00 a.m. to continue the proceedings.”