Free Web NovelChapter 154: Cross-Examination
"The papers state that Doran is the legal head of the company and Skyla will only get 30 per cent of the share," Judge Malone announced, staring at Skyla from above the rims of her glasses.
Skyla’s heart drowned in a sea of darkness and anger flushed her cheeks but she remained quiet.
"Objection!" Sylvia said while standing up.
"Sustained!"
"The papers are fake, that’s not what Mr Adams had left Skyla. Doran was only made a temporary guardian; he wasn’t handed over to the company. We demand a forensic analysis," Sylvia responded with a flare.
"That will always be done on any evidence submitted to the court," Judge Malone answered, handing over the papers to court officials.
The malicious grin on Doran’s face told Skyla that he had that part covered somehow. At the time her father signed the documents, a copy was given to Skyla as well but Doran stole it a long time ago.
Their family lawyer who had drafted the original documents, passed away a few years back. So Skyla didn’t have much proof except her words.
"We will adjourn today’s proceedings now. Tomorrow we will reconvene at 9 am sharp." Judge Malone banged the gavel and ended the day’s session.
"All rise!" Bailiff asked and everyone stood up as the Judge exited the courtroom.
Skyla’s team huddled up to her. Lawrence and Huria joined them. They were extremely pleased with the proceedings. Caleb stormed out of the courtroom, he didn’t want to face his friend anymore.
Doran warily watched her and the woman she had become. He couldn’t boss her around anymore and she had stopped hiding whatever he did to her. It was time to ruffle up some feathers. To let her know he wasn’t joking about his threats.
"You have no idea how proud I am of you today." Huria heartily embraced her.
"That showed what a brave lady you are, Miss Skyla," Lawrence added with his boyish grin.
Skyla accepted everyone’s warm words with gratitude and didn’t give a glance in his direction. They slowly exited the courtroom.
Sylvia had asked them to meet at her place so they could prepare for the next day over lunch.
"I will bring Miss Huria and Miss Skyla along," Lawrence reassured Sylvia as the security escorted them towards their respective cars. The media and overzealous people were still crowding the outside of the courthouse. Waiting for them in the throes.
Sylvia’s paralegal stayed back to answer any questions from the media for today while they sped away in their cars.
"Phew! All this media hype is too much. Don’t people have anything better to do than meddle in other people’s affairs?" Lawrence shook his head as he drove off with the ladies using Huria’s car.
Skyla was sitting in the back seat lost in thoughts when Lawrence’s phone began ringing. Instead of picking it up, he placed it on speaker so ladies could hear as well.
"Where are you?" His gruff voice came through the speaker making Skyla sharply turn her head, her heart missing a beat.
"Just dropping the ladies off," Lawrence casually answered, taking a left turn.
Silence followed. He must be contemplating whether to ask how everything went in the courthouse but decided against it in case their phones were being tapped. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
"Meet me at my apartment after. I am waiting," he anxiously asked Lawrence. Skyla absorbed the urgency in his voice and did everything in her power to not speak out. It had been so long since she had even heard his voice. It did terrible and yet exciting things to her body.
"Okie dokie, see you soon." The call disconnected after.
"He is dying to hear the details of today’s session," Lawrence chuckled and Huria joined in.
"If he had been present he would have been so proud of our Skyla." Huria looked back from the front seat and found Skyla shyly smiling. Huria winked.
"He already is. He is so smitten, I can’t wait for this trial to be over so he can finally be with Miss Skyla. Or his huffs and broodiness will have no bounds and I will keep getting the brunt of it." Lawrence shook his head making Skyla hide her face in her hands and smile.
She couldn’t wait to be reunited with him without any restraints or morals holding her back and she could only imagine for now how magical it would be.
***
The next day at court was dedicated to cross-examination. Caleb was again present in the stands just to confirm the extent his friend could fall.
Firstly Skyla was called to the witness stand by Robsan.
"Miss Skyla, your false accusations have caused irrefutable damage to the reputation of a dignified man. He didn’t really hit or burn you. It’s all made up to cover your own infidelity. How do you feel about that?" He asked in a condescending tone but Skyla was prepared for such absurd questions.
"I feel disgusted, not because I brought his abuse to light but because people refuse to believe. Since it comes from a celebrity, they think he can do no wrong. Let me tell you Mr Robsan how it feels to be burnt by a cigarette. It excruciatingly pains and you can smell your skin burning. It changes your skin forever and it not only leaves physical scars but emotional ones too. They heal but they never disappear, a constant reminder to you of the abuse you went through."
Skyla showed off her burn marks while a medical report was submitted to Judge Malone and the Jury which proved that the burns Miss Skyla had on her hands and body were from cigarettes. Several pictures were also shown of Doran smoking cigarettes on different occasions.
"You stole your husband’s company secrets and handed them over to your boss. Including sensitive data, financial statements and other related information. Zyair might have bought some shares but the company still belongs to Doran. It’s his right to safeguard its secrets. Why did you do that?"
Robsan questioned next with a glare as Doran watched Skyla with a scoff.
"I did no such thing. It’s a lie fabricated to hide his own," Skyla straightforwardly answered.
"Objection! Your Honour," Sylvia spoke up.
"Overruled! If you have any proof, present it to the court," Judge Malone asked Robsan, his paralegal presenting some fake emails to the court. They had forged them through false emails.
Skyla and Sylvia watched them with implausible expressions. How low they were reducing themselves just to win this case. The papers were read by the judge and Jury and then sent for detailed analysis.
The cross-examination continued. They also presented a video in which a journalist revealed what Amber had told him. But Skyla remained steadfast, answering every question with a boost of confidence even when Robsan tried to dampen and destroy her spirit.
After Skyla, Doran was called to the witness stand. He walked over and took his position without any remorse or regret visible on his face. Whatever he used to feel seemed to have been dissipated or maybe he was too good at deception and hiding his emotions in public.
"Mr Doran, why did you feel the need to cheat on your wife?" Sylvia clasped her hands and asked her first question. Her sharp eyes like those of a predatory watched him with disgust.
"I never cheated on her. She is delusional," he confidently replied without any hesitance in his voice.
"I see. And what prompted you to hit her, burn her and berate her?"
Sylvia asked her next question and gave him a look which said, ’Dare to lie’.
