Chapter 17 - The Defense CollapsesThe defense cross-examination was swift and disastrous for my family. Their public defender, clearly overwhelmed by the mountain of technical evidence, tried to attack my credibility by suggesting I was a disgruntled former employee seeking revenge.
“Dr. Sterling,” the defense attorney asked, standing near the jury box. “Isn't it true that you married Mr. Adrian Sterling—a man worth billions of dollars—just six months after leaving Mercer Manufacturing?”
“Objection,” Mr. Marcus called out. “Relevance.”
“Sustained,” the judge ruled coldly.
“Let me rephrase,” the attorney said hastily. “Isn't it true that your husband’s firm, Blackwood Capital, profited immensely by acquiring the assets of Mercer Manufacturing at a liquidation auction?”
I looked the attorney in the eye. “Blackwood Capital acquired those assets to prevent three hundred innocent factory workers from losing their livelihoods due to the illegal actions of the defendants. Furthermore, my husband did not initiate the federal investigation—the IRS and the SEC did, based on automated red flags triggered by the false loan filings.”
The attorney hesitated, looking back at his notes, realizing he had opened a door he shouldn't have. “No further questions.”
When I stepped down from the witness stand, Adrian reached out and took my hand, squeezing it gently.
May you like
“You were brilliant,” he whispered.
“I was just telling the truth,” I replied.
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