The Ex-Wife’s Billion Dollar Comeback Novel

---- Chapter 176: Rebuttal Witness ~ Soraya ~ The court took a one-hour break to allow Miss Leona Briggs to arrive. Leona Briggs used to live in Fairmont with Damien Cross, but Jacob's team had recently discovered that she had moved to Belridge with a new boyfriend. Her information arrived at the very last minute. Both Harold and Martin hadn't been able to introduce her earlier as a witness, but fortunately, they found a way to include her that day. By the time Leona Briggs arrived, the air in the room had turned cold.

Sienna, seated behind Damien, stared at Leona icily, but the latter didn't flinch and simply made her way to the stand. Soraya also noticed how Damien looked uncomfortable. It became clearer to her that there was more to his story with Leona. When she was ready, Harold explained the last-minute call. " Leona, you are being called as a rebuttal witness. Your job is to address the points that Damien made about his readiness to be a father. Do not discuss anything outside of that unless | specifically instruct you." Leona nodded.

"Understood." She took her oath, and Harold went straight to the point. Harold: "Miss Briggs, do you know the petitioner, Mr. Damien Cross?" Leona: "Yes, | do." ---- Harold: "How do you know him?" : "We were in a relationship for about six years, on and Harold: "During that time, were you living together?" Leona: "Yes, for most of it." Harold: "When did you separate?" Leona: "Eight months ago." Harold: "So, very recently." Leona: "Yes." Harold: "Do you know Miss Sienna Ashford?" Edmund objected on the grounds of relevance, but the judge allowed it. Leona: "Yes, | know Sienna." Harold: "Ms.

Briggs, from your personal experience, how would you describe your interactions with Ms. Ashford and Mr. Cross?" Leona: "When Damien and | were together, | personally caught them in our bed once. Damien and | separated when that happened." Edmund: "Objection, Your Honor! This is irrelevant!" Harold: "Your Honor, the question directly relates to Mr. Cross' s claim about his readiness to be a father.

Raising a child requires responsibility and commitment, and we are providing context to evaluate the credibility of his statements." Judge Ramirez: "Overruled." Returning his attention to Leona, Harold continued his questioning. Harold: "So, you caught them and broke up, but you still ---- forgave Mr. Cross?" Leona: "Unfortunately." Harold: "Your relationship continued after that?" Leona: "Yes." Harold: "Earlier in court, Mr. Damien Cross testified that he was ready to be a father and start a family. Do you agree?" Leona: "No." Harold: "Ms. Briggs, can you explain why you disagree with Mr.

Cross's claim that he was ready to be a father?" Leona: "Because during our relationship, | had three abortions, all because he didn't want to have a child." Following Leona's testimony, Soraya shifted her gaze to the opposing party. She saw Damien's composure falter, and Sienna shaking her head. Harold: "And how did you feel about having those abortions?" Leona: "It devastated me because | loved Damien so much. The last one crushed my hopes completely.

That's why | broke up with him and left for good." Harold: "Can you show proof of Damien denying the pregnancy from going through?" Leona: "Yes. We have text messages saved. | didn't delete them for some reason." Edmund: "Your Honor, objection!" Even before Harold could formally submit the evidence, Edmund Cross had already protested. Harold: "Your Honor, we are only presenting evidence to rebut Mr.

Damien Cross's claims that he is 'ready to be a father." Judge Ramirez: "I will allow it." ---- Authentication of the evidence took place in court, with Edmund trying to find fault in the messages, but unfortunately for their side, they were real. After copies were made, they were formally submitted as part of the evidence. However, the session did not cover as much as expected. Judge Ramirez adjusted his glasses and addressed the courtroom. "Given the complexity of this case and the new evidence presented today, we will adjourn this preliminary hearing.

A follow-up session is scheduled next month." He continued, "In preparation, the court orders that social services conduct an updated visit to assess Angela's current living conditions and familial environment at the respondents' residence, as well as Mr. Damien Cross's home to evaluate the environment he could provide. Their report must be submitted no later than one week before the next hearing. Counsel for both parties shall receive a copy of the report once itis filed." Judge Ramirez looked around the courtroom.

"All parties are reminded to cooperate fully with the investigation, and any additional evidence or witnesses intended for the next session must be disclosed in accordance with court rules. Court is adjourned." some ~ Rose ~ While Soraya and Jacob had just attended the first hearing for Angela's contested adoption, somewhere in the capital, Rose was preparing for a battle of her own. Her first runway show was finally happening Behind the stage, Rose was throwing orders left and right. ---- "Fix the hem on Look Twelve!

Wow!" she barked at one of the seamstresses, who was already trembling under pressure. " And where's the silver sash | asked for? Don't tell me it's missing again!" One of the models timidly approached, clutching a shoe that didn't fit. "Miss Rose, the shoe won't fit me. It's too tight." "Then make it fit," Rose snapped without looking up. "You're a model, not a complainer. If you can't walk in those heels, find someone who can." Her assistant tried to calm her down. "Rose, the show's about to start. Maybe we should-" "| don't need 'maybe," she cut in sharply. "I need perfection.

| paid too much for this runway. It has to be perfect!" Moments later, the lights dimmed, and the host's voice echoed through the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the highly anticipated debut collection of Maison de R. Tonight, we celebrate art, movement, and individuality through fabric and form. Please sit back and enjoy The Spring Collection by Rose Montclair." Rose's first runway unfolded like a dream. Not only did she have Calum by her side, but the entire show went smoothly.

The chandeliers sparkled, champagne flowed, and the front rows gleamed with celebrities, editors, and elite designers. Her models moved with practiced grace, each step a testament to her ambition. When the final gown graced the runway, the audience erupted in applause, flashes of cameras capturing her triumph. For 'one glorious night, Rose was the star of the fashion world, and she was convinced she would make it big from then on. But by the next morning, reality bit back. The orders she ---- expected never came. Her website traffic spiked, then dropped just as quickly.

Sales increased, but barely. And then came the article. Rose was still in a hotel room with Calum in the capital when she searched online, eager to read news about her runway show from the night before. But what she found made her jaw tighten. [The Illusion of Glamour: Behind Rose Montclair's Overhyped Runway] Her stomach dropped as she read on.

The writer claimed that most of the audience at her show had been paid to attend- their applause rehearsed, their enthusiasm staged by a PR firm desperate to create buzz for a "newly rising designer." The piece went on to describe her collection as "technically sound but soulless," and "overrated for a name yet to prove its worth." Worse, models were interviewed, and many of them didn't have good things to say. "Rose isn't compassionate with her models." "She feels like a diva." "Yeah, the dresses are nice, but | wouldn't buy them either." Rose stared at the screen, tears filling her eyes.

For the first time since starting her label, the applause she had once longed for felt painfully empty. "Rose? What's wrong?" Calum caught her in a state of grief as she stared at the news. She panicked and said, "Nothing! Tears of joy. Sales are... picking up." Calum frowned. "They'd better, because | expect a return on ---- my investment."