Gavin's jaw worked, but no words cout. If there was anyone in the room who least wanted to see Whitford, it was definitely him. The man who had somehow becthe common thread linking the Littletons, the Schrams, and the Abernathys together.
Was Vivienne's real motive in bringing him here just to clear the Littleton name? "Gavin, will you say something?" Madeline pushed him, clearly impatient for an answer. Unlike his usual gentle demeanor, Gavin shoved her away, "I really can't deal with you right now!" His cold tone left Madeline stomping her foot in frustration.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe initial shock wearing off, Victoria watched the unfold with a gleam in her eye. "Ms. Abernathy, your old flame, and you've forgotten him?" Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "If I'm not mistaken, wasn't Whitford the one you were with before my dad? Looks like you've forgotten your long-term meal ticket." "You mean to tellthat's Whitford?!" Madeline was so startled she almost choked, her delicate hand pointing shakily at the man who hadn't glanced their way since taking the stand.
"How is this possible?! Wasn't he locked up by Vanguard Agency? Why is he out?!" Her shock was understandable. Years had passed since she last saw Whitford, the once bulky man now barely recognizable after his tin jail, especially to someone who had lived as comfortably as Mrs. Abernathy.
Her panic was palpable as she clutched her chest, her complexion turning ghostly pale. Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on Sophie, who was staring dreamily at Percival. A sense of dread began to spread through her heart.
It couldn't be possible! He was just here to testify. Once the trial was over, he'd go back to prison. No matter how powerful Vivienne was, there was no way she could know about that incident! She clutched at her dress, not realizing that a pair of eyes had been watching her the whole time. Victoria's brows furrowed slightly, suspicion gleaming in her eyes: Madeline's reaction seemed more like she was facing a creditor than an old lover. Could there be sunspeakable secret between her and Whitford? But Victoria didn't dwell on it for long. She turned her attention back to the courtroom as Whitford took the witness stand. Vivienne's witnesses were all in place.
At the judge's command, Trent and nét a group of researchers stepped forward. "Your Honor, we've heard Vince's accusations, and they're baseless. We worked closely with Frank, even negotiating with him privately. There was never any misconduct." Blake glared at Vince, clearly disgusted. "Frank was the best among us, a true genius. Vince's allegations are absurd!" Vince squirmed under the scrutiny, his nervousness evident.
Suddenly, Harrison's warning jolted him, "Remember, if I go down, you'll never see your wife again." The threat hit home, and Vince, torn and struggling, finally spoke up, "I object!" His interruption drew the judge's attention. Vince fumbled through his statement, accusing Frank of recklessness, a claim that enraged Blake.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Vince, you ingrate! Frank lifted you from nothing. To betray him now... Do you have any conscience?" The courtroom erupted into chaos, with the judge struggling to maintain order. It was a mess of accusations and shattered loyalties, a far removed from its humble beginnings. Trent clapped Blake on the back, pulling him behind, "Easy there, don't blow a gasket over this. Vince, you know damn well what went down back in the day." "We're here to set things straight for Frank. If you've got an ounce of decency left, you'd best shut your trap!" The old-timer wasn't someone to mess with; his gaze could cut through steel.
Vince, who used to tower over them in every situation, suddenly seemed smaller, shrinking under the old man's scornful look. A pang of guilt hit Vince right in the chest.
Before anyone could speak, Trent's voice rang out, "Let's not even go way back. Just three days ago, Harrison was knocking on our doors.
Offered us ten million to pin the ne blon Frank. The judge always says, "If you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to fear. So why's he in such a hurry to clear his name, huh?"