Chapter 198Just as Williams was about to walk out the front door, Mr. Sterling signaled for him to come back in.Williams turned around and asked, "What is it? I have no time to spare. I need all the time and energy I can get to take down Carter Comb."Mr. Sterling nodded and replied, "I know, but I just wanted to remind you that right now, we're facing two obstacles. As you're going about with the hacking process, don't forget about the court cases.""I know. Everything is under control. You don't need to worry," Williams said, turning to leave. He paused, then turned back to Mr. Sterling and asked, "Have you spoken with the lawyer already?"Mr. Sterling replied, "Yes, we'll be using the same lawyer as the ESU. The lawyer is none other than Harris Drums.""Good," Williams said, nodding in approval. "And how about the judge? Have you bribed him yet?"Mr. Sterling stood up from his seat, walked around his desk, and nodded. "I've asked Harris Drums to handle that for me. I'm expected t
Chapter 199That evening, James was in his suite at Sky Suite, lost in thought despite Eric's insistence that he take the day off.Uncertainty weighed heavily on him; he had never felt this unsure before.His loved ones had been supportive, staying in constant communication. Lana Wane, Ellen and her parents, and especially Ryan Wane—they were all rallying to find a way to help, but solutions seemed elusive.The Wanes faced numerous adversaries with influence in the lower courts, where Mr. Sterling and the ESU agents had filed lawsuits against them.As James sat pondering his next move, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was his uncle Ryan calling. He answered with a mix of anticipation and anxiety."Hello, Uncle Ryan," James greeted him, trying to keep his voice steady despite the turmoil inside."James, how are you holding up?" Ryan's voice, calm and reassuring, came through the phone."I'm trying to manage," James replied honestly. "It's been chaotic, to say the least
Chapter 200Finally, the day of the court hearing has arrived!All parties involved were already in the court as early as 9 am.The court is one of the low courts of emerald falls.It was modestly sized yet carried an air of solemnity and gravity. The walls were lined with dark wood paneling, giving the room a traditional and authoritative atmosphere.High windows allowed beams of sunlight to filter in, illuminating the room in a warm, golden glow.The judge's bench, a raised platform at the front of the room, was imposing, crafted from polished oak. Behind it hung the emblem of Emerald Falls.The judge's chair was a high-backed, leather seat, hinting at the power and responsibility it carried.Rows of wooden benches were neatly arranged, divided by a central aisle, with the plaintiff’s side on the left and the defendant’s on the right.Each bench had a slight incline to ensure visibility of the proceedings for all attendees. At the front, near the judge's bench, were tables for the op
Chapter 201Agent Sebastian stepped forward, carrying some documents in his hands. He cleared his throat, "Your Honor, we had substantial evidence linking Mr. Clarkson to the Enron scam. Given the gravity of the charges and the potential risk of flight or obstruction of justice, we decided to act swiftly.""Agent Sebastian, you mentioned the gravity of the charges against Mr. Clarkson. Could you elaborate on the evidence you had?” Barrister Bennett Coleman asked.Agent Sebastian nodded, handiing Barrister Bennett Coleman the document. "We have financial records, witness testimonies, and digital communications linking Mr. Clarkson to fraudulent activities in the Enron scam.”“And this evidence was substantial enough to warrant his arrest " Bennett pressed, while scrolling through the documents."Yes," Sebastian affirmed. "Given the risk factors, it was deemed necessary."Bennett nodded. "Thank you, Agent Sebastian. No further questions, Your Honor. But I want to say that these document
Chapter 202After the recess, the court reconvened. Judge Hart took her seat and called the court to order. "We will now hear from the defense. Barrister. Bennett, please present your evidence.”Barrister Bennett Coleman stood up. "Your Honor, I call Lieutenant Jones to the stand."Lt. Jones walked to the stand, was sworn in, "Your Honor, I want to present my case," Lt. Jones began, standing confidently as he addressed the court, adjusting his uniform.He looked directly at the judge before continuing. "General Arnold informed me that James Clarkson was being wrongly accused and arrested by the ESU agents. As the military, we had no option but to intervene and prevent the arrest from happening."The judge leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Lieutenant Jones, could you elaborate on the circumstances that led to the military's involvement?"Lt. Jones nodded. "Certainly, Your Honor. On the day in question, we received a direct order from General Arnold. He had credible information sugg
Chapter 203Williams sat at one corner of the court as the proceedings went on. He wore a black suit and had come to witness everything firsthand.Beside him was Mr. Sterling, dressed in a gray suit with a straight face. They had come under the guise of concerned EMC employees, but unknown to everyone, they were the masterminds behind the entire ordeal.Williams had orchestrated the whole thing and had the ESU agents under his thumb, all to ensure the success of their operation.Before his arrival to town, the ESU had been an incorruptible organization, focused solely on investigation without a hint of corruption. But when Williams came into town, everything changed. Months ago, when James had gotten Jaxon and Henry Carl arrested for mistreating him, Williams had found a way to exploit the situation. With just a few strategic hacks, he managed to gather incriminating information on the director of the ESU, Donald Duke—known as Triple D. The blackmail began, and soon enough, Triple D
Chapter 204James' mind raced with possibilities, his heart pounding loudly as the judge prepared to read the verdict.He glanced around the courtroom and noticed Mr. Sterling and Williams. Their demeanor suggested they expected him to be found guilty, but the proceedings seemed to be leaning in his favor. Still, judges could be unpredictable.With the drama that Kate just pulled earlier on, and the gaslighting, James was doubtful.Closing his eyes, he hoped for a favorable outcome. Kate's dramatic outburst and the resulting gaslighting left him doubtful.The murmuring crowd fell silent, waiting for the judge's verdict. Judge Hart opened the document and began, "After thorough examination of the evidence presented by the plaintiff, it has been determined that the evidence is fabricated and lacks authenticity. Therefore, in this case, the defendants are not guilty."Just as the judge said that, there was murmuring in the crowd and an uproar.Mr. Andal, the court clerk, had to call the
Chapter 205As Liam and Kai walked briskly towards their car, Liam couldn't contain his curiosity. He glanced at Kai, seeking validation. "How did I do, addressing Eric?" he asked, his voice a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.Kai looked at him, his usually stern face softening into a smile. "You did great, Liam. You handled it perfectly," he said, giving Liam a reassuring pat on the back. "You were assertive without being aggressive, and you made sure Eric knew you meant business."Liam felt a surge of pride at Kai’s words. "Really? I was worried I might have overstepped," he admitted, opening the car door and sliding into the driver's seat.Kai shook his head as he got in on the passenger side. "Not at all. You were firm but fair. Eric needed to understand the gravity of our agreement, and you made sure he did."Liam nodded, starting the car and pulling out of the parking lot. "I just wanted to ensure we have leverage. We can't afford to be lenient."Kai adjusted his seatbelt, tu