Chapter 185 Hitting a Woman!
Gabriel frowned intensely, his gaze sharp and menacing as he stared at the lawyer.
The judge found himself in a difficult position.
Everyone knew Gabriel's status and influence!
High-profile divorces involving wealthy families were always the most challenging to handle, often leaving judges caught between two powerful parties they couldn't afford to offend, especially when it came to asset division.
But today, what troubled the judge wasn't the massive wealth at stake—it was Gabriel's prior warning that he absolutely would not consent to this divorce!
The fault clearly lay with the husband, yet the wife was willing to leave with nothing, not demanding a cent. Any other man would be celebrating, right?
So why was Gabriel so adamantly refusing to let her go? Could this really be true love?
After a brief hesitation, the judge agreed to Attorney Anderson's reasonable request.
Gabriel already sensed what was coming, his face taut as a sculpture.
But when he actually saw Emily walk into the courtroom, shock still hit him like a physical blow. His fists clenched on the table with an audible crack.
He never imagined that the woman he'd cherished and protected for over a decade would now repeatedly betray him!
Yet it was precisely this that made his feelings for Emily fade faster and faster, while his guilt toward Arabella grew heavier and heavier.
After taking her seat, Emily couldn't bring herself to meet Gabriel's eyes.
She knew the consequences of testifying against him, but she'd come anyway, driven by desperation.
She refused to believe Gabriel would abandon over a decade of feelings for her, falling so quickly for a woman who had nothing.
She couldn't accept it. She had to fight!
Once Arabella was gone, she would use her sincerity, her genuine love, to win back Gabriel's heart.
"Your Honor, I'm Emily Davis. I can confirm that everything the plaintiff's attorney stated is true."
"Mr. Sterling and I have known each other since childhood—we're childhood sweethearts. He's always loved me deeply, and continued to protect me even after I married someone else. Whenever I faced problems or troubles, he would appear in time to help, sometimes showing more concern than my own husband."
"I've always considered him one of the most important people in my life. I regret the breakdown of his marriage, but I believe they were never suited for each other—separating is the best outcome for both parties."
Emily had rehearsed these words countless times in her mind before managing to deliver them in one breath in the courtroom.
As a woman herself, Arabella couldn't understand how Emily could be so shameless as to present her interference in someone else's marriage as perfectly justified.
Shame simply didn't exist in these people's vocabulary.
Gabriel, who always maintained his composure in public, lost control for the first time!
He shot to his feet, pointing at Emily, his face dark as a storm cloud, "Emily! Who gave you the audacity to twist the truth like this? I only showed you care and concern out of respect for our families' long friendship—don't flatter yourself!"
Emily trembled with fear but still managed to respond clearly, word by word, "Gabriel, you love me, not her. Stop deceiving yourself. I was wrong in the past, and I've paid the price. Now I understand—you're the one I truly love. Gabriel, divorce her. I'll spend my entire life making up for the hurt I caused you."
The judge listened gravely, then asked just one question.
"Ms. Davis, did you and Mr. Sterling engage in physical intimacy?"
Before she could answer, Gabriel angrily denied, "No! Absolutely not!"
But unexpectedly, Emily glanced at him, swallowed hard, then looked at the judge and replied, "Yes... we did."
"Emily!" Gabriel's roar nearly shook the courtroom. "Emily, perjury carries legal consequences! Think carefully before you answer!"
Emily burst into tears, sobbing as she said, "Gabriel... you never used to shout at me like this... what's happened to you... you've changed... you're so mean to me now..."
"Emily, you—"
"Order!" The judge had no choice but to bang his gavel for silence.
But Gabriel couldn't calm down. He immediately requested a recess.
After the judge granted it, Arabella immediately stood and rushed out, ducking into the restroom where she turned on the cold water and splashed it on her face.
Emily's words echoed in her ears. Even though she no longer loved Gabriel, she felt waves of humiliation washing over her.
Now she didn't regret insisting on the divorce at all—she only regretted waiting so long.
Such a disgusting man, such a vile person, and yet they'd shared a bed for over two years.
Gabriel watched Arabella flee the courtroom and he started panicking.
But he didn't immediately chase after her. Instead, he turned blood-red eyes toward Emily, striding over with predatory grace and grabbing her arm like an iron vise, yanking her off balance. "You're coming with me!"
Emily had never seen Gabriel in such a rage. She trembled violently.
"Gabriel... don't... please don't do this..."
"Gabriel, I'm helping you! You'll understand my good intentions later."
"Gabriel... please just divorce her. While the children are still young, you can find them a new mother—they'll never know the difference..."
"Shut up!" Gabriel dragged her from the courtroom, seeing Arabella head toward the restrooms and pulling Emily in that direction.
"You're going to explain everything to her! Otherwise, our families are finished, and you'll bear all the consequences!" Gabriel threatened darkly.
Emily paled with terror, her clothes disheveled from his rough handling, tears streaming down her face. "Gabriel, she doesn't love you! Why do you insist on staying with her?"
Arabella was still splashing water on her cheeks, forcing herself not to think about those disgusting, sordid revelations, when she heard Emily's wailing outside and the sound of rapid, chaotic footsteps.
The next second, Gabriel escorted Emily directly into the women's restroom.
A woman emerging from a stall screamed at the sight.
But Gabriel felt no embarrassment whatsoever.
He dragged Emily like a predator with its prey, hauling her in front of Arabella. His dark, thunderous expression sent another female bystander fleeing in terror.
"Speak! Explain yourself right now! There is nothing between us!" Gabriel commanded in a low, dangerous voice.
Emily trembled all over, looking at Arabella standing by the sinks, seeing her face wet with water and her eyes red-rimmed—clearly she'd been crying hard.
"Say something!" Seeing her remain silent, Gabriel's thunderous roar erupted again.
Emily flinched, swallowed, and began, "Arabella, I know... I'm sorry... but I can't help my feelings. I love Gabriel, and I support your divorce. I hope—"
Before she could finish, Gabriel—who had never raised his hand to a woman—lost all control and raised his palm to strike.
Arabella stood directly in front of them. Without thinking, she suddenly stepped forward to intervene!
But she couldn't stop him completely. The slap meant for Emily grazed her head at an angle, sending her hair flying across her face.
Just then, Manuel burst through the door and witnessed this scene. He immediately rushed forward, shoving Gabriel away. "Mr. Sterling, cheating wasn't enough—now you're committing domestic violence too!"