The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 175: Credibility ~ Soraya ~ Sienna's testimony was submitted, but her so-called 'proof' was still in question. It added another layer, maybe another month of investigation and discussion, and Soraya hated it. Contested cases rarely end in a single session, though they had hoped for a swift resolution. Jacob particularly resented that Soraya had to endure the travel while pregnant. But with Sienna's mounting lies and questionable evidence, their legal team had no choice but to reexamine every detail, prolonging the proceedings once more. Soraya's body tensed.

Her hands clenched into fists. But just as her blood began to boil, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked back and saw Emily. She hadn't realized when Emily and Philip had arrived "Calm down, Soraya. Think of your babies," Emily said. "It's going to be okay," Jacob added, taking her hand. "Harold is one of the best lawyers for family law. He knows how to handle this." Harold got up and cross-examined Sienna. "Ms. Ashford, you testified that Mr. Steel paid you to keep silent about Angela's father, correct?" Sienna nodded.

"Yes." Harold: "But isn't it true that, from the very beginning, you told Mr. Steel he was Angela's biological father?" Sienna: "That's what | said then, yes." Harold: "Why did you tell Mr. Steel that he was Angela's father when he was not?" ---- Sienna: "Because | was afraid my child would be raised without a father. | know | was wrong, but that's why | corrected it later." Harold: "You mean two years later, when you argued with Mr. Steel?" Sienna: "Yes." Harold: "How exactly did you tell Mr.

Steel that he was not Angela's father?" Sienna: "That he is not Agnela's father?" Harold: "What prompted you to tell the truth almost three years ago?" Sienna: "Jacob was mad at me for leaving Agnela in my friend' scare." Harold: "So, until that argument took place, you had no plans to tell Mr. Steel the truth, is that correct?" Sienna: "| don't know. Maybe not at that time." Harold: "Yes, but in your own words, you said you told Mr. Steel because he was mad at you. It must have been a very heated argument. Was it?" Sienna wavered but soon answered. "Yes, it was.

He even brought the police." Harold: "Why was Mr. Steel mad?" Sienna: "He was being unreasonable." Harold: "Perhaps | can refresh your memory, Ms. Ashford." He turned to the judge. "Your Honor, we move to admit this document as Exhibit A-12." Harold handed the file to the bailiff. "This is the police report filed by my client, Mr. Steel. Ms. Ashford was supposed to ---- return Angela two days earlier, but failed to do so. As a result, my client filed a missing person report at the Fairmont Police Station." He paused briefly before continuing.

"According to the same report, Angela was found with limited food and showing signs of neglect and dehydration." Edmund: "Objection, Your Honor. Irrelevant to the matter at hand. The issue before the court concerns alleged payment and concealment of paternity, not parenting disputes or prior domestic issues." Harold: "Your Honor, the document speaks directly to Ms. Ashford's credibility. It demonstrates a pattern of conduct- specifically, neglect and misrepresentation. That calls into question her current testimony." Judge Ramirez: "Overruled.

Exhibit A-12 is admitted for the limited purpose of assessing the witness's credibility." Returning his attention to Sienna, Harold asked, "So, going back to the time you and Mr. Steel argued, do you now understand what brought about my client's anger?" Sienna sighed. "Yes." After Harold's cross-examination, Damien Cross was brought to the stand. He was very dramatic as he gave his side of the story. "| have always dreamed of having a family. So when | learned about my daughter three months ago, | was ecstatic." Damien wept, his head down as he shared in court.

"I will admit that I' m not the best person out there. | had failed my modeling career and ventured into several businesses that also failed, but right now, my life is thriving." "| have a house and a coffee shop," Damien said. "Now, more ---- than ever, I'm ready to start a family." Edmund: "And are you having a family with Miss Sienna Ashford?" Damien: "No, no. Ashley and | are not in a relationship. |am currently single, but | am ready to be a father." Edmund: "Have you seen pictures of Angela?" Damien: "Yes, | have. She is beautiful.

Except for my hair, she looks like me." Edmund: "And how does that make you feel, seeing a picture of your daughter?" Damien: "Honestly? | cried when | first saw her picture. | was mad at Sienna. | felt she'd taken away my chance to be a father. | believe | could have been there for Angela, to raise her and care for her when she was a baby." Damien: "It felt wrong that she was adopted without me knowing.

I'm her father, and | just want the chance to be part of her life-to experience her love, to hear her call me 'Daddy, not someone else." Edmund smiled, looking satisfied as he turned to the judge. " No further questions, Your Honor." Judge Ramirez then turned to Soraya and Jacob's lawyers. " Counsel for the respondents, you may proceed with cross- examination." Harold and Martin were discussing at that point. Soraya and Jacob could hear them. They agreed it was time to bring ina surprise witness. Clearing his throat, Harold stood. "Your Honor, we request to present a rebuttal witness.

This individual's testimony only became necessary in light of Mr. Damien's statements today. We had no prior opportunity to include her in our list." ---- Edmund: "What? No, Your Honor." Judge Ramirez paused. "Who is this witness?" Harold: "Miss Leona Briggs. She had a long-term relationship with Mr. Damien Cross. Her testimony will directly address Mr. Cross's prior statements regarding his alleged readiness and desire to have a family." Edmund: "I object, Your Honor. We had no prior notice." Judge: "Objection noted. The court will allow the witness for rebuttal purposes only.

Counsel for the petitioner may cross- examine after." Damien and Edmund looked rattled, and Soraya knew why. Leona Briggs had achieved considerable success in acting and modeling. Although Soraya was not one to follow celebrity circles, it was well known that Leona and Damien Cross had been dating for a long time and had even lived together. Whatever Leona had to share was relevant to Damien's claims and could very well undermine his credibility.