Chapter 10: The First Dominos Fall
Chapter 10: The First Dominos Fall
By the afternoon, the defense was completely dismantled. Julian threw a stack of financial documents onto the table that detailed Lauren Thorne’s personal signature on the offshore shell companies.
Faced with twenty years in a federal penitentiary, Lauren’s attorney cracked first.
"Your Honor," Lauren’s lawyer stammered, standing up. "My client wishes to change her plea. She is prepared to plead guilty to corporate fraud and conspiracy in exchange for a reduced sentence, and she is fully prepared to testify against Matthew Hayes."
Matthew turned on her, his face turning an ugly shade of purple. "You miserable bitch! I bought you that apartment! I gave you everything!"
"You dragged me into your grave, Matthew!" Lauren screamed back, completely losing her composure. "He told me his wife was a ghost! He told me she didn't matter!"
The judge pounded the gavel repeatedly as court officers rushed forward to restrain Matthew, who was trying to lung across the table toward his former mistress.
Amidst the chaos, Julian Vance stepped back to our table. He looked down at me, a calm, victorious smile on his face.
"Lauren's testimony seals it," Julian whispered to me. "Matthew has no defense left. He’s looking at the maximum sentence. We have him, Clare."
May you like
I looked over at Matthew as he was pinned against the table by three court officers, his face pressed against the wood—the exact same way he had forced my face against the cold marble floor three weeks ago.
I felt no pity. I felt only a profound, liberating peace. The first dominos had fallen, and my new life was just beginning.
