Third Person
“I really hate this,” Leon grumbled, refusing to leave the penthouse. The 48-hour mark had passed, and his attorneys summoned him for his retrial against Sadie and Jeffrey.
“Leon, you’re acting like a child,” Annika replied as she helped him with his tie.
“I want us to hurry and live together. We’re already engaged, and now we’re expecting our first kid. We should be living together, Doc.”
“And I told you that right now is not the best time to worry about that. I’ll move in with you when everything is over and done with. I’m still technically married, remember?”
“So? You’re legally separated. The law says nothing against you living with your fiancé when you’re separated.”
“Be that as it may, I don’t want to give Jeffrey or Sadie any leeway that would jeopardize our cases against them by moving in with you right now. We need to win first. Then we can sell the penthouse, and I can live with you.”
“Why sell? We can rent it out and make a passive income.”
“What do you mean by “we”?” Annika questioned as she quirked an eyebrow at him.
“I meant you, Doc. You can make a great passive income by renting out the penthouse,” Leon quickly changed the verbiage of this statement.
“And why would I need passive income? Have you forgotten that I’m a billionaire heiress to the Silverton family fortune?”
“Of course not. But there’s no such thing as too much money,” Leon replied while putting on his suit jacket.
“This is true; however, I’ve already spoken with Daddy, and he agreed to sell it. Mama said that it has too much bad juju.”
“Bad juju?”
“My mother is highly superstitious. Plus, there’s no reason to keep it, really. Your house is more than big enough to accommodate me and our little one here,” she said as she placed her two palms on her stomach. Leon smiled at the gesture and followed suit. He put his hands over Annika’s and kissed her temple. He was about to reply when his cell phone began to ring. He grumbled at the intrusive and obnoxious ringing while Annika giggled and pushed him away softly.
“Von Doren,” Leon said flatly as he answered. “I’ll be right down.” He hung up and scowled.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. Toby is here. I got to go, baby.”
“Go. We’ll be right behind you.”
“Remember to eat,” Leon scolded.
“I will. I promise,” Annika answered genuinely. Leon smiled, gave her a chaste kiss, and went out the door. As soon as the door closed, Annika rolled her eyes but had a humongous smile on her face. She went into the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. Although her trial with Jeffrey had been pushed back due to her sudden passing out, it wouldn’t change the overall outcome of it. If anything, her being pregnant now was an even more significant reason to divorce Jeffrey.
When Leon arrived at the courthouse with Toby in tow, they wasted no time in meeting with this legal team to get the day over with. Leon’s attorneys had more than enough solid evidence would allow him to win his countersuit against Sadie and Jeffrey.
“Janko, do you have everything in order?” Leon asked the head of his legal team.
“Yes, Mr. Von Doren. We won’t lose. The evidence that Jorge gathered for us over the last several months is more than enough to retrieve the money owed to you, plus the interest. In addition, we are working with acting D.A. Reagan to make sure that Mr. Hollands’ frozen assets are awarded to you.”
“And he’s willing?” Toby asked when he heard this.
“Yes, Toby, he is. He says that they’re not after money. Their case against Mr. Hollands is political. It’s about image and reputation,” Janko responded.
“Let’s get this over with,” Leon stated, heading to the courtroom. Toby and the legal team followed him in a single-file line that caught everyone else’s attention in the courthouse. It wasn’t every day that one of the most powerful men walked around with what looked like an army behind him.
As he took his seat, the Galloway’s family attorney made his way over to him.
“Can we help you?” Janko asked while standing between Leon and the other party.
“I need a word with Mr. Von Doren.”
“Anything you have to say to my client can wait until court begins.”
“I just want to ask Mr. Von Doren if he would possibly change his mind?”
“About what? Settling privately? I don’t think so,” Janko immediately answered.
“Counselor Janko, if you continue this suit, my clients will lose everything.”
“Do we look like we care?”
“Mr. Von Doren is the richest man on the Eastern Coast. The money he lost—”
“You mean the money your client and her family defrauded him of?”
“That’s beside the point, Janko!”
“Wrong, Bart. That’s exactly the point. I told you that if you went down this path and worked with that family, you would lose everything with them. You made your bed. Now lie in it,” Janko spat. “We are done. Approach my client again, and I’ll sue you for harassment.” Bart backed away and went back to his seat.
“What did they say?” Mrs. Galloway asked him.
“They’re going through with the suit. Mrs. Galloway, I hope you and your husband have a backup plan. Where is your husband?” he questioned as he realized Mr. Galloway was nowhere to be seen.
“He’s at home resting. He’s still not 100% after everything that has happened. Why are you asking about a backup plan? Do you think we’re going to lose?”
“Think? No. I know we are. You and your daughter have royally f****d things up. She was caught on tape admitting to falsifying the evidence against Leon and that the former D.A. helped her get rid of the actual evidence of her affairs with him.”
“Then what are we paying you!?”
“At this rate, you’re paying me to keep her out of his prison. Being pregnant might be reason enough for her to serve her sentence at home. But I can’t do anything about the money you guys owe Leon. Whatever little nest egg you guys are paying me with better have enough to pay him back what you stole. Because he’s coming for blood, and there’s no way we can stop him.” Mrs. Galloway’s face paled at the revolution and began to tremble in fear.
A few minutes later, Sadie was escorted into the courtroom after having changed her clothes into something more appropriate than an inmate’s uniform. Mrs. Galloway teared up seeing her daughter in such a state. Her clothes fit a little snugly, given that her pregnancy was now more prominent.
“Oh, my baby girl,” she cried.
“Mom, stop it. You’re embarrassing me!” Sadie snapped at her mother. Mrs. Galloway choked back her sobs and nodded her head. As Sadie was being released from her handcuffs, the double doors to the courtroom were pushed open, and Annika, Hunter, Kenzie, and Royce walked in.
“Doc, you made it,” Leon greeted her.
“You were there for my trial, so, of course, I would be here for yours,” she answered and kissed him. Sadie saw the loving couple, and all she could do was roll her eyes with disgust. Sadie half expected Jeffrey to be the gallery as well; even though he was still in custody, she doubted he would be allowed to sit in on her trial.
“Remember to keep your mouth shut,” Bart chastised her.
“Whatever.”
“I’m serious, Sadie. Judge Trainor has already had it up to here with you. Piss him off again, and then there’s nothing I can do to keep you out of prison.”
“I’m f*****g pregnant.”
“The court doesn’t give a fly f**k about your bastard child. Do as I say, or go to prison. It’s your choice.” Sadie rolled her eyes for what felt like the dozenth time that day. In the back of her mind, she still didn’t believe the judge would send her away with only a few months left in her pregnancy.
“All rise for the honorable Judge Trainor!” the bailiff announced.
“Thank you. You may all be seated,” Judge Trainor stated as he took his seat. “Before we begin, I would like to make something clear. What happened two days ago in this courtroom must not happen again. Ms. Galloway, I’m talking about you,” the judge immediately called her out. “Your actions and behavior from last time will not be tolerated. There are no more warnings for you. If you even say one word without being spoken to first, I will hold you in contempt, and you will face prison time. Do I make myself clear?” Sadie gaped at the old man and started to scowl. But before she could say anything, Bart elbowed her to stop her. Sadie glared at him instead. Bart glared back, indicating that she should watch her mouth; otherwise, court would end before it could even begin. Sadie clenched her jaw in frustration.
“Yes, your honor,” she finally answered with incredible difficulty.
“Very good. Let us begin. Counselor Janko, you’re up.”
“Thank you, your honor. The people would like to call Mrs. Galloway to the stand.” Bart, Sadie, and Mrs. Galloway did not expect such a turn of events.
“Counselor Jonko, if you continue this suit, my clients will lose everything.”
“Do we look like we core?”
“Why am I being called to the stand?” Mrs. Galloway asked Bart.
“I have no idea.”
“Can’t you stop it?”
“No. I can’t. You’ve been summoned; now go.” Mrs. Galloway was flustered and couldn’t move an inch.
“Mrs. Galloway,” Judge Trainor addressed her firmly, making her flinch. “Are you going to approach the stand? Or are you going to waste everyone’s time?”
“My apologies,” she replied and got up. The bailiff read her in and had her take her vow of truth before allowing her to be seated.
“Mrs. Galloway, I’m sure you were a little surprised for me to call you to the stand, yes?” Janko first asked.
“A little.”
“Well, you shouldn’t be. After all, I understand that you were the mastermind behind your daughter’s false testimony during her original divorce trial against my client. Isn’t that right?”
“Objection, speculation!” Bart exclaimed.
“Your honor, we have the evidence to prove it. As such, it is not speculation. It’s a hard fact,” Janko countered. Bart knew the evidence was real, but he had to try.
“Objection overruled. Continue Counselor Janko.”
“Thank you, your honor,” Janko turned to Bart and smirked before returning his attention to Sadie’s mother.
“Please answer the question, Mrs. Galloway.”
“I … what was the question again?” she asked to try and buy some time. Annika huffed and rolled her eyes.
“Did you give your daughter the idea to defraud Mr. Von Doren!?”
“No.”
“Need I remind you that you’ve sworn to tell nothing but the truth, Mrs. Galloway? Perjury is a felony. That’s why we’re all here today, isn’t it?”
“I … I …”
“Answer the question, Mrs. Galloway!” Judge Trainor ordered.
“I …”
“Mrs. Galloway, I have the evidence that Sadie admits her crimes. She was in cahoots with you and Mr. Hollands to defraud my client when he divorced her for infidelity. If you continue to waste the court’s time, I might as well just cut to the chase and present the evidence so that everyone in the room can listen,” Janko threatened. Mrs. Galloway turned white as a sheet but still couldn’t admit the truth. Because of her reluctance, Janko played the audio of Sadie and Jeffrey confessing their crimes to each other.
As the audio played, the audience in the gallery gasped as Sadie’s voice echoed throughout the courtroom. There was so much pride in Sadie’s voice that jaws started to drop, and mumbles about how much of a gold-digging tramp she was started to arise. Sadie was about to tell everyone to “f**k off,” but she was stopped by Bart when he saw her losing her cool. Her frustrations grew, and she was this close to losing her top.
“Mrs. Galloway, are you going to continue to deny your involvement?” Janko mocked. Mrs. Galloway was near tears when she couldn’t come back with anything. Sadie had ultimately dug her own grave and brought her mother down with her. “That’s all right, Mrs. Galloway. We don’t need to hear your answer. After all, we shouldn’t be surprised that it was your idea to help your daughter commit felony fraud to save face. You have a history of doing it yourself, do you not?”
“I beg your—” Mrs. Galloway exclaimed when she heard Janko’s question.
“Objection! The witness is not on trial!” Bart shouted.
“Sustained.”
“I withdraw the question. No further questions,” Janko replied immediately. He had already planted the seed. Now it would just grow on its own. He very well knew that this case was also being broadcasted live, so it would be a wonder if Mr. Galloway didn’t see it.
“What was that about?” Annika asked, looking over at Hunter, who had pursed his lips tightly to keep himself from laughing. “Hunt?”
“Ahem, sorry, Anni. Honey, why don’t you tell her,” Hunter gestured to Kenzie. Annika changed targets. Without saying anything, Kenzie pulled out her phone, brought up the document that she received during Annika’s trial against Jeff, and showed it to Annika. Annika took the phone and read over the document on the little screen, and when she got to the very end of it, her jaw dropped of its own volition. She snapped her head to Kenzie, who just nodded.
In the document were the paternity test results between Mr. Galloway and Sadie:
In the matter regarding David Galloway and Sadie Galloway, the probability of paternity is 0% chance.
