Chapter 142: Victory in Court!
"Miss Sophie Martin," the judge’s voice boomed with authority. "Please answer truthfully. Do you have personal knowledge that Mrs. Evelyn Green committed adultery during her marriage?"
Sophie’s body shook violently as tears streamed down her face. Suddenly, she spun around and pointed at Sienna and Damian.
"There was no affair! Never!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "It was all a lie! They forced me to say it!"
"What are you talking about!" Sienna shrieked, jumping to her feet. "She’s crazy! She’s committing perjury!"
"I’m not crazy!" Sophie reached into her pocket, pulled out a recording pen, and slammed it onto the table. "This is the recording of Sienna finding me! And the threatening emails she sent! Everything is in here!"
The bailiff quickly seized the evidence and handed it to the judge. Moments later, Sienna’s voice echoed through the courtroom speakers.
"Sophie, as long as you swear Evelyn had an affair with Ethan, that fifty-million-dollar debt is gone. The Lead Designer position at Omni is yours too. I can even give you an extra two million dollars for your trouble. If you refuse, you should know the Greens will make sure you can't even get a job scrubbing toilets in New York."
The truth was out.
The courtroom exploded. Reporters in the gallery began snapping photos like mad. On the live stream, the comments flipped instantly.
My God! They framed her! Does the Green family have any morals left? Buying witnesses to frame a wife? Damian is scum! That mistress Sienna is pure evil! I feel so bad for Evelyn. To be betrayed by her own husband like this!
Damian’s lawyer was drenched in sweat, his documents scattered across the floor. He tried to stand and defend his client. "Your Honor, this... this recording was obtained illegally..."
"Objection overruled!" The judge slammed his gavel in fury. "The defense's behavior is a grave contempt of court and utterly malicious!"
Octavina clutched her chest, collapsing into her chair. "It’s over... everything is over..." she muttered to herself.
Sienna looked as if the life had been drained out of her. She fell to the floor, surrounded by looks of utter contempt. She knew she had lost everything. Her dream of high society, of becoming Mrs. Green, had shattered.
Without a moment's hesitation, the judge delivered the verdict.
"Given the defendant Damian Green’s severe misconduct, including forging evidence, bribing a witness, and obstructing justice, this court grants the divorce between Evelyn Green and Damian Green."
"Pursuant to the supplemental prenuptial agreement, all Omni Group shares, real estate, vehicles, and bank accounts under the name of Damian Green are hereby transferred to Mrs. Evelyn Green as compensation for emotional distress. Furthermore, Damian Green shall bear all legal costs for this case."
Bang! The gavel fell one last time.
Damian sat in the dock, paralyzed. He was now a complete pauper, worse off than a homeless man on the street, because he also carried the weight of public disgrace.
Evelyn slowly stood up, straightened her blazer, and turned to leave. Seeing her back, Damian suddenly lost his mind and lunged from his seat.
"Evelyn! Don't go! Evelyn!"
Several bailiffs tackled him, pinning him against the railing. Damian struggled wildly, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Evelyn as he broke into sobs.
"Evelyn, I was wrong! I was really wrong! I shouldn't have listened to that bitch. I love you! We were together for eight years! How can you be so heartless?"
"Take the money, I don't care! Just don't leave me! We can start over! I’ll listen to everything you say from now on. I’ll be a good husband! Please, don't leave me!"
He cried until he was a mess, stripped of all dignity. The once arrogant CEO was now nothing more than a stray dog begging for scraps.
Evelyn stopped walking. She turned slowly and looked at him from a few meters away. Her gaze swept over Damian’s distorted face, then over the slumped Sienna and the fainted Octavina. A cold, distant smile touched her lips.
"Start over?" Her voice was icy, carrying through the microphone to every corner of the room. "Damian, have you misunderstood something?"
"Do you think I fought this case because I still care about you? Or your filthy money?"
Evelyn faced the flashing cameras and spoke firmly. "Every cent of this money is stained with betrayal, lies, and the blood of Director Worth. Holding onto it makes me feel dirty."
"I am waiving all personal rights to this fortune."
The room gasped. Even Ryan’s eyebrows twitched in surprise.
"This entire estate will be donated to the New York Orphanage. A charitable foundation will be established in the name of Eleanor Worth to help abandoned children."
The heavy courtroom doors swung shut behind her. As Evelyn stepped down the stairs, the waiting media swarmed her. Microphones were shoved into her face.
"Evelyn, are you really giving away everything?" "Did you hesitate at all when Mr. Green apologized?"
Before she could speak, a warm, charcoal-gray designer jacket was draped over her shoulders. The scent of cedarwood wrapped around her, shielding her from the noise and the dust.
Ryan Lawrence stepped out from the crowd, his tall frame blocking her from the reporters. He placed an arm around her shoulder and naturally adjusted her collar. His eyes, usually full of cynical charm, now held an intimidating pressure that silenced the crowd.
The reporters recognized him immediately—the mysterious and ruthless power behind the Nova Group.
"Everyone," Ryan announced, his gaze scanning the crowd. "From this moment on, Miss Evelyn belongs to no one."
He looked down at her. "She is the most resilient and talented woman I have ever met. She is also the most important future partner for Nova Group."
Ryan paused, looking directly into the cameras. "More importantly, starting today, I will be officially pursuing her. Until the day she says yes."