Chapter 11 - The Witness Stand
"The prosecution calls Claire Bennett to the stand."
The courtroom murmured as Claire stood and walked past the wooden gate.
Ethan's defense attorney, a ruthless man named Harland, immediately tried to rattle her during cross-examination.
"Mrs. Bennett, isn't it true that you hold a deep, personal grudge against my client? And that taking over his company was an act of calculated revenge?"
"Taking over the company was an act of legal restitution," Claire answered calmly.
Harland sneered.
"You claim my client was a monster, yet you stayed with him for fifteen years. Why didn't you just leave?"
The prosecutor jumped up to object, but Claire raised her hand slightly.
"I'll answer the question," she said.
She looked directly at the jury.
"I didn't leave because he told me that if I did, he would destroy my family, freeze my bank accounts, and ensure I was locked in a psychiatric facility. When a man has a billion dollars and you have nothing, you believe him. I didn't stay because I was a willing participant, Mr. Harland. I stayed because I was a hostage."
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The courtroom was dead silent. Harland swallowed hard, realizing he had just handed the prosecution their strongest moment.
"No further questions."
