Chapter 16 - The Trial Julian Tried to Buy
The juror was removed.
Julian’s attorney was arrested for obstruction.
Two more members of his legal team withdrew.
Still, Julian entered the criminal courtroom with the same arrogant posture he had displayed during the custody hearing.
He wore another expensive gray suit.
Claire noticed the choice.
He wanted to look like the innocent husband whose family had betrayed him.
The prosecution began with Maya’s tablet video.
Julian coaching her.
Julian threatening to take away her rabbit.
Julian discussing Claire’s property and company shares.
Then came the hidden fertility-clinic footage.
The bank records.
The false medical reports.
The safe-house kidnapping.
The cabin recording.
Each piece supported the next.
No random twist.
No missing link.
A decade of manipulation had created a trail Julian never imagined anyone would follow.
His defense argued that Claire, Rebecca, Ethan, Evelyn, Harrison, Dr. Cole, and Maya had all misunderstood him.
The prosecutor asked, “Every person misunderstood you in exactly the same way?”
Julian did not answer.
Rebecca testified about the crash and imprisonment.
Dr. Cole described the illegal embryo procedure.
Evelyn confessed to helping Julian hide evidence.
Detective Ortiz explained the bribery network.
Then Claire took the stand.
Julian’s attorney tried to shame her.
“Did you ever kiss Ethan Shaw?”
“Yes.”
“While married?”
“Yes.”
The gallery murmured.
Claire did not hide.
“It happened once during a separation Julian refused to acknowledge. Ethan stopped it. Julian later used that moment to convince me I was unstable.”
“Were you faithful?”
Claire looked at Julian.
“I was imperfect. I was not fraudulent, violent, or dangerous.”
The attorney tried again.
“You benefited financially from Harrison’s trust.”
“I did.”
“So you had motive to destroy Julian.”
“No. Julian destroyed himself when he decided Maya’s life was worth $60 million.”
The prosecutor’s final witness was Maya’s child psychologist.
She explained that Maya should not testify in open court.
Instead, a recorded interview would be shown.
On-screen, Maya held her rabbit and answered carefully.
“Why did you bring the tablet to court?” the interviewer asked.
May you like
“Because Mommy told the truth, but Daddy had more money.”
👉 Maya’s simple answer silenced the courtroom, but Julian still had one final lie prepared for the jury.
