CHAPTER 6 — THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY
The courtroom overflowed with journalists from around the world.
Nathan entered wearing prison clothes instead of designer suits.
He refused to look at me.
The prosecution played every recording captured by my sapphire pendant.
Nathan's voice echoed through the courtroom.
"Nobody will believe you."
"The cameras are offline."
"I'll tell everyone you're unstable."
Then came the sound.
Crack.
Crack.
Crack.
Two hundred lashes.
Every strike echoed through absolute silence.
Several jurors lowered their heads.
One woman quietly wiped away tears.
Nathan's attorney stood.
"We object—"
The judge interrupted.
"Denied."
Then the financial evidence appeared.
Billions.
Fraud.
Bribery.
Offshore laundering.
Witness after witness testified.
By the end of the sixth week...
The verdict required less than two hours.
Guilty.
On every count.
Nathan closed his eyes.
May you like
He finally understood.
The trial had ended long before it ever began.
