The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 79

Chapter 79 The Trial Begins

“Life in prison isn’t enough. Traffickers deserve the death penalty!”

“White Pit, give me back my daughter. Give me back my family.”

“Selling women is murder. Execute them all.”

“Stop the traffickers. Lock them up and throw away the key”

Outside the courthouse, signs waved in the air. Reporters jostled for position. And mixed in with the real protesters were the online trolls Amber had paid to show up, each working their own angle.

Stella sat calmly in the courtroom, her gaze fixed on Derek. He looked broken. Exhausted. Nothing like the man who had once controlled everything.

“Dad,” Jasmine whispered, half rising from her seat. Ruby grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.

The room fell silent as the bailiff read the court rules.

When it was time for opening statements, Stella’s attorney, Milo Xavier, stood and addressed the judge.

“Your Honor, my client Stella’s mother, Luna, was trafficked, imprisoned, abused, assaulted, and eventually murdered by the defendant, Derek–formerly known as Doggy.

“After killing her, Derek arranged for a man posing as a police officer to cover up the crime, misleading the public and burying the truth.

“But his cruelty didn’t stop there. He exhumed Luna’s body without consent. He fraudulently claimed the renewal fees Stella had paid for her mother’s grave at Azure Peak Cemetery.

“He used that money as leverage to pressure Stella into an arranged marriage. He drugged her. He spread vicious lies about her to destroy her reputation–all to serve his own interests.

“Derek’s actions are monstrous. They are inhumane. They are the acts of a man without conscience.

“We ask the court to impose the maximum sentence and award my client compensatory and punitive damages for the emotional and psychological harm she has endured.”

“Objection.”

Derek’s lawyer didn’t flinch. Even facing the legal team from Cross Group, he held his ground.

“Your Honor, my client did not traffic Luna. When he encountered her, she was confused and disoriented -unable to recognize anyone.

“My client took her in. He paid for her medical care out of pocket. He looked after her until she regained

her senses.

“During that time, a relationship developed naturally. They married. They built a life together.

“And even when he later learned that Luna had been involved with another man and given birth to a child

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Chapter 79 The Trial Begins

that wasn’t his, he chose to forgive her.

“The allegations of abuse and assault are completely unfounded.

“Luna was attacked by a stranger. She suffered fatal injuries while fighting back.

+5 Pearls

“My client did contact the authorities about the incident, but he was deceived. He had no idea the person he spoke to was impersonating an officer.

“As for the exhumation–that’s a gross distortion of the facts. My client only wanted to move his wife to a better resting place. The claim that he defrauded Stella of burial fees is a misunderstanding.

“He hadn’t yet had the chance to return the money. How can failing to return something be called theft?”

Stella’s hands curled into fists beneath the table. Her stare could have frozen the room.

Elias reached over and gently covered her hand with his. She forced herself to relax, just slightly.

The more Derek listened, the more confident he became. His lawyer was good. Really good. Maybe he’d walk after all.

On top of hiring expensive legal representation, Derek had also requested to address the court personally.

“I never meant to keep that cemetery money,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “My daughter just doesn’t understand me.”

He turned toward Stella, eyes wet with tears.

“Look, I know I’ve got my old–school ways. Maybe I’m superstitious. But I never wanted to hurt you. Even after I found out you weren’t mine by blood, I still planned to split my property–half for you, half for Jasmine.”

Snot ran down his upper lip. Tears dripped off his chin.

He looked like a heartbroken father betrayed by an ungrateful child.

Stella’s lawyer almost laughed. Almost.

He caught Elias‘ gaze from across the room. The message was clear–lose this case, and he’s done.

‘Derek,” Milo began, his voice calm, “you claim you found Luna, took her in, cared for her, and loved her. Is that correct?”

“Yes,”

“Then let me ask you something. You ever hear a certain children’s rhyme when you were growing up?”

Derek frowned. Where was this going?

Milo’s voice filled the courtroom.

“Found a penny, picked it up, all day long–if you’re honest, you turn it in.”

9:48 am

Chapter 79 The Trial Begins

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