Chapter 7 - The Revenge Nobody Saw ComingThe envelope contained a lawsuit.
Marcus was claiming that I had manipulated the wedding.
He accused me of destroying his reputation.
He demanded damages.
Twenty-eight million dollars.
I read the complaint twice.
Then laughed.
David looked at me.
“You're not worried?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because he's still making the same mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“He thinks money is power.”
I handed the complaint back.
“It's not.”
David smiled.
“What is?”
“Information.”
We investigated.
Within forty-eight hours, we discovered that Marcus had hidden several offshore accounts.
Within seventy-two hours, investigators found transfers connected to investors he had deceived.
Within a week, his lawsuit collapsed.
But Marcus had one final weapon.
Lydia.
He claimed she had helped him knowingly.
He threatened to expose private messages.
When Lydia heard, she panicked.
She came to my office.
“I'll testify.”
I shook my head.
“You don't have to.”
“Yes, I do.”
“You already told the truth.”
“I want to finish it.”
I looked at her.
“You're sure?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
The trial lasted eleven days.
On the final day, Marcus's attorney asked Lydia:
“Did you knowingly provide information about your mother's assets?”
Lydia looked at the jury.
“Yes.”
The courtroom became silent.
“Did you know Mr. Thorne intended to use that information?”
“No.”
“Then why did you provide it?”
She swallowed.
“Because I trusted him.”
The attorney smiled.
“You trusted him?”
“Yes.”
“Despite your mother's warnings?”
Lydia looked toward me.
“I didn't listen to my mother.”
The attorney raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
Lydia answered quietly.
“Because I wanted to believe someone loved me for me.”
The courtroom went silent.
“And now?”
She looked directly at Marcus.
“Now I know the difference between being loved and being useful.”
That sentence destroyed him.
The jury deliberated for less than four hours.
Marcus was found liable.
His remaining assets were seized.
The criminal case continued.
Outside the courthouse, reporters surrounded Lydia.
She froze.
I stepped beside her.
“Don't answer them.”
Then a reporter shouted:
“Mrs. Sterling! Did your mother buy the verdict?”
Lydia looked at me.
Then she smiled.
“No.”
She turned toward the cameras.
“My mother taught me something money can't buy.”
May you like
“What?”
“The courage to tell the truth.”
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