Prelim 1

Prelim 1
Cindy went into the station and met with Jack. When she told him about the high possibility of getting bailed out today, Jack was very happy.

Cindy went ahead and told him everything that Chris had said and how they tried to use her to persuade him into marrying Lily.

Jack laughed and said, "That must be because I told her that I would rather die than marry her when she came to see me earlier."

Cindy was very excited and asked, "You mean Lily came just like I predicted?" Jack nodded his head.

"And she asked you to marry her right?"

"Yes she did," Jack replied.

Cindy told Jack to quickly take out the tiny camera and hand it over to her and Jack did just that. While they were still discussing, Spencer arrived in the company of Grant and the doctor.

Grant quickly told Jack that Elvis and his wife had traveled out of the country which was why they couldn't come to see him.

Cindy took the doctor to the side and explained why she wanted him to test Jack as well as how soon she would need the results while Spencer and his Dad spoke to Jack and tried to find out what exactly had happened.

Because of Grant's connection, they were able to stay with Jack for a long time at the station before he was taken in alone to meet with the judge.

The doctor had already left by this time and Cindy insisted on going in with Jack. They initially insisted that Jack went in alone during his first appearance but eventually allowed Cindy to go along due to her incessant nagging while Spencer and Grant waited behind for the both of them.

Cindy wanted to see the judge in person and read his or her expression. She knew that it wasn't easy or common for judges to be bribed but she wouldn't put anything past Lily and her brother.

When Jack went into the room, he was asked to stand while Cindy sat down. The judge proceeded to ask, "Your name is Jack Grant, is that correct?"

"That is correct your honor," Jack replied.

Cindy observed the judge who was a woman and felt that she was alright but she believed she would find out more about her personality sooner than later.

The judge asked again, "You live at number three crescent street, is that correct?"

"That is correct your honor," Jack replied again.

The judge continued, "You have been charged with sexually assaulting one Miss Lily Belov on the fourteenth of June 2022. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty, your honor"

"I'm sure you are aware of your rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Do you have one?"

"Yes your honor, I have an attorney" Jack replied.

"That is good," the judge said. "A preliminary hearing will be held tomorrow the sixteenth day of June 2022 at 10:am. Make sure you arrive with your attorney, you will also be notified through a letter.

Your bail is set for five thousand dollars."

Cindy heaved a sigh of relief. Although Spencer had said Jack would get bailed out today, she had still been afraid.

The money was quickly paid and Jack was released from jail. Cindy hugged him happily and lovingly and so did Spencer and Grant.

Grant looked at Cindy and said, "Miss. Cindy, I am leaving my son in your hands. The real battle begins tomorrow so please, don't disappoint me."

Cindy felt happy since Grant had never been this polite to her ever since he learned of her background. She smiled at him and said, "No matter what, Mr. Grant, I won't fail you."

Jack and Cindy went back to her house while Spencer and Grant went back home. Jack freshened up while Cindy called the doctor to find out when the test results would be ready.

The doctor assured her that she would get it before the end of the day and she expressed her gratitude to him.

She realized that she didn't have any witnesses to present during the preliminary hearing and decided to call someone who could be a witness. Even if her testimony would not be accepted, it could make the judge as well as others around doubt Lily's character.

Chris Belov called Lily and when she answered her phone, she asked excitedly, "So what did Cindy say? When will my marriage to Jack take place?"

Chris shook his head. At times he was surprised by his sister's naivety and stupidity. "There will be no marriage my dear as both Jack and Cindy are willing to see this case to the end.

I have already made all the preparations, your attorney will meet with you later in the day to tell you a few things. Since Jack chose prison over you, he will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

It's such a pity though, I will advise you to forget about him and get ready for tomorrow because the preliminary hearing will be the deciding factor on whether a trial date will be set for this case."

After getting off the phone, Lily angrily screamed and broke the mirror in front of her. Is Jack willing to go to jail because of that worthless Cindy? Well, she would make his dreams come true.

She stared at the broken mirror and said, "You rejected me Jack, and chose Cindy instead. I'm going to make sure you rot in jail."

Jack sat on the bed watching Cindy as she sat on her table reading some documents. He walked up to her and began to massage her shoulders.

"Mmm, that feels nice," Cindy said smiling.

Jack smiled and replied, "You look so cute with your glasses on. I've never seen you like this."

Cindy got up from the chair and hugged Jack for a long time "I feel serious whenever I put on glasses."

Jack chuckled just as Cindy stared at his face and ran her fingers through the scratch marks on them. "I'm going to make Lily pay for scratching your handsome face."

Jack threw his head backward and laughed. "I feel fortunate to have you in my life, Cindy and I'm convinced that if you stand by me always, I can face any problems. Lily has got nothing on us."

"I have enough evidence to get this case dismissed tomorrow," Cindy said to Jack.

"However, I want the case to be tried because I want to deal with Lily. I will inflate her ego and provide weak evidence tomorrow while allowing her to play all her cards. When the date of the trial finally arrives, I will make her regret ever setting her sights on my man."

Jack kissed Cindy and replied, "I am seriously holding myself back from pouncing on you tonight because I know you need all the rest you can get. As for Lily, whatever you wish to do with her, you have my full unwavering support."

The night passed by really quickly and the next day, Jack and Cindy found themselves in front of the courtroom at 9:40.

Much to their surprise, there were many journalists frantically taking pictures of them and asking annoying questions. Jack and Cindy ignored them as they both put on their shades and made their way into the courtroom.

They were both surprised to see that Grant and Spencer had already arrived but they were not the only ones.

Lily had also arrived, she looked pale and her eyes were swollen from crying. She sat beside her brother who kept tapping her back comfortingly.

Jack saw the waiter who had served them at the blue sky hotels and also saw the secretary whom he had fired before hiring Cindy.

They were surely going all out, he thought to himself. Emily smiled at them as they took their seats and Jack smiled back. There were also a few other people whom Jack did not know and a few journalists who were allowed to be inside.

They all sat down and waited until the judge took her seat at 10 am

After a few formalities, the case of Lily Belov versus Jack Grant was called and Lily's Attorney was given an opportunity by the judge to speak first.

He began by saying, " My lord, on the fourteenth of June 2022, the accused was scheduled to have a meeting with my client Miss Lily Belov and her brother, Mr. Chris Belov at the blue sky hotels and suites by 5 pm.

Due to unavoidable circumstances, my client ended up going to the meeting alone. She ordered a bottle of wine for herself and the accused after they agreed.

The accused drank most of the wine while my client couldn't take a sip because she suddenly developed a stomach upset.

She stood up and tried to make it to her hotel room but it was proving difficult. That was when the accused offered to escort her to her room.

My unsuspecting client allowed him to take her up to her room. The moment she got on her bed, she said goodbye to him, however, the accused refused to leave as he had already locked the door.

He forced himself on my client who kept refusing and tried her best to defend herself. She scratched his face repeatedly as a means of defense but alas! the accused was too strong for her and ended up having his way with her.

How the video of this incident was made public is still a mystery to us but since the accused was the only one in the room, we strongly believe that he circulated that video in an attempt to avenge his girlfriend Miss. Cindy Banks who had a falling out with my client when they were younger.

My Lord, I have a copy of the video here with me and will present it to this honorable court to see the gruesome act carried out by the accused.

But before that, I will like to call on my first witness. The prosecuting officer who first arrived at the scene and took my client to the hospital."