The Billionaire’s Fight For Redemption (Noah and Sierra) novel Chapter 303

“Counsel,” he says evenly, “motive is not irrelevant in a case involving alleged fabrication and corporate misconduct.”

He turns back to Kerry. “Objection overruled. You may proceed.”

The shift in the room is almost physical as Jocelyn’s shoulders stiffen and fear fills her eyes.

Kerry calls Carl first. Then Rose. Then Brandon. Then Benji.

One by one they step forward and speak.

Carl clears his throat before answering. “Jocelyn was never happy about Sierra being team lead. She made that very clear.”

“In what way?” Kerry asks.

“She would say openly that Sierra didn’t deserve it. That she was better than Sierra and that the position should’ve been hers.”

Rose’s voice shakes slightly. “She once ‘accidentally’ deleted a batch of Sierra’s compiled data before a review meeting… It wasn’t even the first time.” Rose breathes, “Sierra always has to review her work before submission because often time, Jocelyn would mess with it.”

Brandon sits straight. “She’d make comments and say Sierra only got ahead because of her connections.’”

Every word chips at something, and it takes hearing other people’s point of view to see clearly just how much Jocelyn detest me. Just to see that this went beyond petty rivalry.

Benji takes the stand last.

“Was there professional tension?” Kerry asks.

“Yes,” he answers. “Jocelyn always felt like she deserved better. That she deserved Sierra’s position.”

“Did she ever threaten Ms. Meyers?”

He doesn’t hesitate. “A bunch of times actually. She once told her, ‘You’ll regret standing in my way.’”

The courtroom shifts again and I sit there listening to my own history being spoken out loud. Listening to things I tried to brush off as petty rivalry now laid bare as motive.

When Kerry calls my name, my heart lurches so hard it feels like it wants to rip out of my chest.

I walk carefully, aware of every eye on me. I then sit, raise my hand and swear to tell the truth.

Kerry’s voice softens slightly. “How long have you known Ms. Reed?”

“Since university… that’s eight years.”

“And how would you describe your relationship with her back then?”

I swallow. “Strained… we never got along.”

“Why?”

“She always believed she was better. Even back then, she always believed she should have the highest grades and because of that, she detested me.”

The judge studies both attorneys for a moment.

“Overruled. The witness may answer.”

“She attempted to pursue a relationship with a senior executive... The executive’s wife confronted the situation directly.”

Jocelyn’s attorney stands again. “Irrelevant character assassination.”

Kerry’s voice is steady. “It establishes a pattern of unethical conduct and willingness to manipulate professional environments for personal advancement.”

The judge allows it.

After I step down, Kerry returns to the center.

“This court has heard testimony of jealousy and hostility. Now we will examine motive and financial gain.”

She clicks on the remote and the screen displays photographs of Jocelyn sitting at a private restaurant table with two executives from a competing biotech firm.

A murmur spreads through the gallery, but Kerry continues calmly.

“This photograph was taken at Le Viremont on March 14th.”

She gestures lightly toward the screen. “The two individuals seated across from Ms. Reed are senior development executives at Helixor Biotech... a direct competitor of Bio-Renew.”