Chapter 160

“Is she in court today?” Judge Cook asked.

“Yes, right over there.“ Marie pointed at a young woman in a grey dress.

The prosecutor then argued, “My Lord, the prosecution did not receive prior notice of this evidence. I urge the court to adjourn the trial for Ms Martin while we authenticate the document.”

Judge Cook calmly replied, “Authentication goes without saying, prosecutor. But I won’t grant an adjournment. Since this document only questions the validity of the audits, the trial can move on to the corruption charges against Martin on goverment projects.”

Mr Clark argued, “Mr Lord, every eaming and expenditure made by my client will be reflected by the audits. If that is put into question, shouldn’t the prosecution’s charges with regards to government projects be put on hold as well?”

Judge Cook’s face was unperturbed when he replied, “No, Mr Clark. You very well know the evidence for the government project bribery is not just in the form of audits but also written testimonies from multiple witnesses.”

“But those witnesses aren’t present in court today to be examined, my Lord.” Mr Clark made one last attempt to get his client off the stand.

“Looks like we only have your client to question on the matter for today, Mr Clark.” Judge Cook decided.

Mr Clark knew better than to argue further with the hard-headed and hot-tempered Judge Cook. He didn’t want to anger the old man for fear of a detrimental outcome for all his clients.

Marie was shocked that the judge wanted to skip right to the issue on government projects first. She did not prepare for this! She thought, if she were lucky, the court would believe the sheet of paper she handed t o him, and that it would be admitted as valid evidence. In this best case scenario, Belle Price would be called to the stand to verify the audits they fabricated together in the past week.

Even if she got unlucky and the document had to be authenticated, Marie thought she’d get an adjournment. But she was denied even this!

And Mr Clark was scribbling furiously on his notepad while the prosecutor and her deputy flipped through the bundle of documents in haste. The flutter of the tuming pages rivaled the tapping of a pen in Judge

it and approached Marie, apologizing to the judge for the delay before she cleared her throat and began her questioning, “Ms Martin, fifteen years ago, the government issued a tender

“Y-Yes.”

successfully won the tender was Celestial Enterprise.

the name of the company that won the tender all those years ago but I

man by the name of Joseph

exactly what she and her lawyer were

sure,

It was almost irrefutable. But Marie still chose to deny the truth. “I don’t know anyone

and out of your home weeks before the government decided on

and relationships of the accused are not relevant to this

be relevant if those relationships are the cause of the charges against the

of sweat on her forehead before she said, “I used to

on certain companies over others. But I have never entertained them. This man you mentioned was one of the more

restraining order against him has never

no. I’m afraid not.” At the same time, Marie chanted to herself, ‘Please, don’t pull out

knew where the prosecution was going, and she didn’t like it one bit. She threw a pleading look at Mi Clark to get her off the stand but he couldn’t find a good enough reason to do

Judge Cook order for the government projects issue to be tried first. Mr Clark could not hide

Clark a copy of the document she was about to refer to, and she asked Marie, “Ms Martin, we received written testimonies from your neighbors of two decades, and they affirmed that Joseph Rig, who you claimed to not remember, stayed overnight in your home for at least a week. We’ve questioned

Lucianne whispered, and her thumb stroking her mate’s hand paused at

as well.” Despite his steady voice, his onyx

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