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,
Jackie drew a steadying breath, steeling herself as she prepared to drop her answer she was sure would implicate her father. She didn’t want her father to go to jail, but she just couldn’t bring herself to tell such a big lie against Ellis. She wasn’t a perfect person, but lying against Ellis in this way was a line she just couldn't cross. "Yes," she replied, enunciating each syllable as if savouring the opportunity to commit these words to the immutable official record. "He forced me to lie about being raped by Ellis for a reason I am not aware of."The resentment she had against her father was evident in Jackie's voice. She hated how her father had treated her for the past days since the allegation against Ellis was made. The jury visibly shook at the bluntness of this final admission, her statement resounding across the courtroom like a thunder-clap. On the opposing side, Marcus stared at his daughter with what could have been mistaken for a penetrating glare, were it not for th
Mr Cyrus was given the opportunity to level his evidence against Marcus. Mr. Cyrus took a deep breath as he approached the witness stand. The courtroom fell silent as he was sworn in. Across the aisle, Marcus sat stone-faced beside his lawyer, undoubtedly concocting another pack of lies to wiggle out of this predicament. But not this time. This time, Mr. Cyrus had ammunition that would blow Marcus's house of cards to nothingness."Mr. Cyrus," the prosecutor began. "Please show to the court the evidence that you claim to have against the defendant, Mr. Marcus Royale and go on to tell us how you got the evidence."Mr Cyrus nodded, as if to show that he understood the question. Then he began. "First, I approached Jackie. I had to be sneaky about it because her father was keeping her sequestered away. I spoke with her to confirm her side of the story, and worked to secretly have her brought here to testify publicly. But I still have a recording of our conversation from that night.”He br