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!

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

before she cleared her throat and began her questioning, “Ms Martin, fifteen years ago, the government issued a tender for a project to construct a high -rise building in the east side

“Y-Yes.”

was Celestial Enterprise. Are you familiar with this

the tender all those years ago but I

you recall a man by the

and her lawyer

sure,

had evidence, and neither Marie nor Clark liked it. It was almost irrefutable. But Marie still chose to deny

was he found going in and out of your home

Lord! Personal life and relationships of the accused are not relevant to this trial.” Both Clark and Marie prayed that

denied when Judge Cook responded, “It would be relevant if those relationships are the

the beads of sweat on her forehead before she said, “I used to get offers

But I have never entertained them. This man you mentioned was one of the more persistent ones, if I’m not mistaken. The

getting a restraining order against him has

chanted to herself, ‘Please, don’t

on, “Perhaps you never thought of getting a restraining order because you didn’t want him gone, Ms Martin.” Marie knew where the prosecution was going, and she didn’t like it one bit. She threw a

Judge Cook order for the government projects issue to be tried first. Mr Clark could not hide his frustration at how stupid his client had been to do that without consulting him. How was

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 Rig’s associates during the time of the Skyline project, and every one of them confirmed that Rig used to boast about securing the project for Celestial Enterprise by sleeping

whispered, and her thumb stroking her mate’s

quite appropriate in this situation as well.” Despite his steady voice, his onyx eyes and internal fury prompted Annie to

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