"What is going on here?" Marcus roared. "I said, what is happening here?"Ellis was surprised at Marcus’ sudden presence. Why was Marcus shouting? His yelling made his wife and son come to investigate what was going on since they were seated close to the bathroom hallway. Marcus's wife was a bit surprised too. She also did not understand why her daughter and Ellis were in the restroom together. "Ellis, what are you doing with my daughter in a restroom alone?" Marcus asked. Ellis opened his mouth, but there were no words coming forth. How would he sound if he said that he entered the ladies' restroom just because he was too pressed to check the inscriptions properly? What excuse would he make for standing there and chatting with Jackie when he could very much have left the restroom upon her arrival? "I — I, Jackie," Ellis stuttered, "Jackie met me here.""That's because you are in the female restroom." Marcus's wife said, a frown beginning to form on her face."Ellis, are you having
The news got to Mr Cyrus in no time. He got a call from his secretary. "Ellis has been arrested, sir," the man said immediately Mr Cyrus picked up the phone. "Ellis? Why? He’s supposed to be having dinner with my first son." Mr Cyrus asked, perplexed. "He was arrested for assaulting your first son's daughter. Marcus insists that his daughter was raped. I am not sure yet, but the news should be clear by morning.""What?!" Mr Cyrus exclaimed in shock. "Ellis? Rape? That’s impossible. Please call my lawyer right away. Get them to release Ellis on bail first of all. Has this gotten to the media yet?""Yes, sir. Marcus made quite a spectacle at the restaurant where they had dinner. There are videos of Ellis being arrested all over the internet." the man said.Mr Cyrus immediately knew that this must be a scheme by Marcus to bring Ellis down. How stupid. Didn’t he realise what this scandal could cost the company? This was one of the reasons why he refused to hand over his empire to Marcu
The news carried the story about Ellis being arrested. So many channels dwelt on how much of a rogue Ellis was. Some even went as far as blaming Mr Cyrus and speaking on the importance of placing one's own family before a stranger because ‘the devil you know is better than the angel you do not know.’ Many were questioning Mr Cyrus for choosing to make a stranger his heir instead of his own children. Some said that Ellis was so immoral because he was poor. People like Mr Clark rejoiced at this news. "So, not only is the boy young and incompetent, he is also corrupt?" Mr Clark would say to the hearing of other disappointed board members like Mr Rogers and the like.Ellis felt the brunt of Marcus's accusations, but the one who felt it even more was Jackie. She was not built for all of this drama, and the wrong attention was getting to her. After that evening when her father had ignored her tears and told her not to mention a word of what happened to anyone, Jackie had begun to hate Marc
Mr. Cyrus sat back in the luxurious leather chair of his study, a grim satisfaction written all over his old-man like features. For days, he had been tormented by the accusation that his beloved son Ellis had committed such a heinous act as rape against his own niece, Jackie. The thought had been unconscionable to the family patriarch. Ellis had been the shining star of the Royale dynasty — his own heir. How could the intelligent, driven young man who was also imbued with an impeccable moral code do such a thing? To hear that he had violated Jackie in such a way had caused Mr. Cyrus's world to come crashing down around him. He hated that Ellis was being defamed for a crime he would never commit.Marcus did not like Ellis, and it was understandable. While their relationship was undoubtedly bad over questions of inheriting the Royale corporate empire one day, Mr. Cyrus could scarcely fathom that it could get to this level of depravity — false accusations of rape, from one against the o
Marcus sat and closed his eyes within the confines of the office that served as his private sanctum. The rape allegations against Ellis had been many things, but one thing to him specifically — a stepping stone on the road to his ascension. He was really satisfied at how far the story had gone. So many people believed him and supported him, a father who was only seeking justice for his exploited daughter. He had gained the sympathy of the world and the favour that came with such pity. Now, all that was left was for the board to decide against Ellis, and his mantle would be back on his hands again. As if it was always there in the first place. He would utilise this and make sure Ellis’ name would be erased completely, and only remembered as a criminal.What Marcus did not know was that his father had gone to every length he could think of, just to see that justice was brought to his heir. After Mr Cyrus had gotten the information he needed from Jackie, he did not stop there. He made su
Just like Marcus had stubbornly agreed, there began a court feud between him and his father, Mr Cyrus. Marcus hurriedly hired a council and alerted his lawyer of the legal battle on ground, and they got prepared for war. One would commend Marcus for the bravery he had, to take things up with his father at court when he knew that he was in the wrong. Days passed, and the day for the first hearing came along. The two men prepared themselves and went to court. The hushed murmurings of the courtroom were abruptly silenced as the heavy wooden doors swung open. All eyes turned towards the entrance as the principals in the legal conflagration made their way inside. Leading the procession was the towering, imperious figure of Mr Cyrus, the family patriarch, corporate titan, and the implacable plaintiff bringing these proceedings against his own son. Mr Cyrus strode forwards with measured, deliberate steps, his aristocratic features set in a mask of stern determination beneath his swept back
"We would concede to all that the plaintiff's attorney has said, if not that they were lies fabricated to give a bad impression of the truth. However, Your honor, we on the defence council would not sit back down and let lies be woven on our heads. Was my client upset about his father's choice over him? Of course any normal human being whose right was taken from him and given to someone else would be upset. But we cannot just run to conclusions, can we? But to say that a father trying to bring justice to his own violated daughter is as a result of a grudge of some heirdom that has no value in comparison to his daughter's life is the height of delusion. Your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, in these proceedings, the defence council would show you that the defendant is innocent, and only just a father who loves his child, unlike some other fathers who may throw theirs for total strangers."The lawyer shot Marcus a sidelong look after he spoke, hoping that his client had followed
Randall Dickens spent the break working deep into the night, poring over Mr Cyrus's evidence like a forensic archaeologist. He meticulously sifted through the accumulated evidence to unearth any inconsistencies or potential landmines that could weaken his case. His client, Mr Cyrus remained stoic but emotionally drained. Having his family dragged out into the glare of public scrutiny had been agonising enough, even though he wanted to teach Marcus a lesson. But to endure the coming trial-by-fire of dissection on the stand promised to inflict a whole new brand of psychological problems. For Marcus Royale's defence team, however, the break amounted to little more than a brief opportunity to find lies and excuses to weave on their case. From the outset, they'd been outdone, and thoroughly routed by Dickens's withering arguments. Their only realistic hope was to gain some miraculous traction in the crucible of cross-examination. And they were not exactly big on miracles. They were lazy,