Chapter 138
Because the situation was complicated, and Gabriel’s case was involved, the triat dragged on all morning before finally wrapping up the announced right there in court that Kathleen was found guilty of fabricating evidence and sentenced in five years in prison.
The moment she heard the verdict, Kathleen completely lost it. She shot up from her seat, pointed at Maxine, and screamed, “You herch! Why did you have to push me this far?”
The judge warned her, but Kathleen wouldn’t stop. She jabbed a finger at Maxine and shouted, “Just you wait! Don’t let me catch your
“Defendant, sit down!” the judge snapped.
A bailiff stepped in and forced Kathleen back into her seat. Maxine watched coldly as the bailiffs led Kathleen away after the verdict was read.
Finally able to sit down and breathe, Maxine covered her face with her hands and let out a quiet laugh. She had finally gotten revenge for Ivanna.
Now, all she wanted was to go home, scoop Jessica up in her arms, and share the good news with her.
Maxine stepped out of the courthouse, squinting as the sunlight hit her eyes. Cleo came running over from a short distance away. “Well? Did everything go okay?”
Maxine nodded with a bright smile.
Cleo let out an excited cheer and threw her arms around Maxine. “You were incredible! Ivanna’s definitely looking down and thanking you right now!” From the moment she got involved with Ivanna’s case, Maxine had poured in so much effort, even risking her life at times. In the end, it was all worth it.
“Come on!” Cleo said, opening the car door for her. “Let’s go celebrate! We’ll pick up Jessica from school on the way home!”
In the CEO’s office at Noxen Group, Sebastian’s phone started ringing. The number was unfamiliar, but when he picked up, he realized it was Kathleen.
“Hello? Sebastian, is that you?” Kathleen’s voice was shaky, on the verge of tears.
Sebastian glanced at the clock and finally remembered today was the court hearing. He’d been stuck in meetings since morning and had only just finished. He’d been so busy that he’d completely forgotten about this. He felt that the hearing must be over by now.
Sure enough, Kathleen went on, “Is that you, Sebastian? Please, just,talk to me!”
“Yeah, it’s me,” Sebastian replied.
Kathleen clung to his answer like it was her last hope. “Please, I’m begging you, help me. I lost the case. They might give me five years. I want to appeal. I’m still young, I can’t go to prison like this.”
“You can appeal. The court will assign you a lawyer,” Sebastian said.
“No!” Kathleen cried, panic rising in her voice. “Can you help me find a good lawyer? I…”
She paused, then sounded even more desperate. “I don’t trust them. If I lose the appeal, I’ll really go to jail. Please, Sebastian, I’m begging you.”
Sebastian closed his eyes and took a deep breath before finally saying, “I know everything you’ve done.”
“What?” Kathleen was caught off guard.
“You know exactly what you did. I don’t need to remind you.”
He’d spent the last few days digging into the past, only to realize that both he and Brian had been played. Kathleen had been stirring things up between them, dragging Maxine’s name through the mud, and even saying those cruel things when Maxine was at her lowest.
He knew neither he nor Brian deserved forgiveness.
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Chapter 138
Partice
for the sake of that time I saved you, could you help me just this once? If I make it out, I promise you’ll never see me again. Please fra bere
for
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
