Bob whipped out the stack of cash he had, appearing a little grumpy. "Well, I only have three grand. That's it.""I need forty," Zoe said, ultimately giving in."Just hold on. I'll gather the money."Bob did not say another word, let alone ask her what the money was for as he promptly called all his friends to get the cash, even if it was a rarity in this day and age. In fact, Bob had to make over ten calls and drive around the city to take the cash from his friends. Eventually, they gathered the forty grand Zoe needed and had to keep the cash in a large sack."Is that really all you need?" Bob asked her just then, as if worried it was not enough."Yes," Zoe replied."'I'll make a direct withdrawal tomorrow once my bank opens tomorrow," Bob quickly said."You don't have to—""I'm a very generous financier," Bob said regally.He was on the plump side, but he was still somewhat good-looking. His casual wear only made him appear even more of a manchild and naturally affable
Even as Zoe stared at Bob flushing down his neck, she became convinced at that instant that there was a chance he really never messed around with other women."That's a little too fast. I have trouble… keeping up," he stammered. Zoe was a little speechless—who was the sugar baby here again? "Just take me home for now," she said, not fussing about it just then.She was worried that Denzel would have returned by now. "Okay." Bob quickly drove her to the projects where she was staying.But when he actually arrived, he was scowling and could not help asking, "This is where you've been staying?""Yeah." Zoe nodded."Sorry. I didn't know that it was bad for you," Bob appeared remorseful and heartbroken. "I shouldn't have criticized you just now… I would've died a hundred times over if I had to live there."Zoe smiled—that was the best part about Bob.What you see is what you get.Unlike that other man…Zoe thought then that she could probably forget about him forever now.As
Bob was livid.He was worried about letting Zoe trudge up those dimly lit stairs alone, and so, he went after her… only to stumble on the scene that almost gave him an aneurysm!How dare Denzel treat Zoe like that… forcing her to prostitute herself?! 'Motherfucker!'Seeing red right then, Bob rushed forward at Denzel and punched him viciously on the head!He was a drug addict and actually physically frail—only having the strength to abuse women.Against men? He was helpless!Bob soon had him floored, clutching his head and begging for mercy repeatedly. "Please! Please! Please! Stop! I'm begging you—"Zoe really wanted Bob to just kill Denzel right then too. However, that was murder, and they would lose a lot more if that really happened. Putting a hand on Bob's arm, she said, "Stop."Bob was huffing, but he did stop despite really wanting to kill Denzel just then!Still, Denzel lay on the floor, groaning and moaning for a long while before forcing himself up and leaning ag
The next day, Cordy's trial officially began.The media was already making a huge fuss, and it naturally blew out of proportion on the actual day of the trial. Five of the top ten trending searches were about Cordy! When Quinn and Cordy arrived at the courthouse at 8 AM, the stairs towards the main entrance were lined with journalists."Do you need me to handle them?" Quinn asked Cordy just then."No," Cordy replied.Quinn did not say anything else at that, and alighted with Cordy.The journalists charged toward them as soon as they got out, encircling them even as Quinn did her best to shield Cordy."Ms. Sachs! Do you think you can win your trial?""How many years do you think your sentence would be?""Don't you regret your actions? You just ruined a promising career for yourself!""Why weren't you at the Sachs Enterprises anniversary gala days ago? Plum Lang was saying you've cut all ties with the family. Is that really true?""Don't you feel disillusioned with how your
'One day,' Noel thought to herself.One day, she would rise to the top, and trample everyone beneath their feet!"Mr. Levine! What's the reason you've come personally to witness Cordy Sachs' trial?""You're a really busy man, and you've only met Ms. Sachs on occasion. What brings you here?""I was the one who asked Johnny to come with me," Jessica said, butting in amid the journalists' endless questions."Ah, so Mr. Levine is just accompanying his fiancee. Well, Ms. Stuart, what brings you here to Ms. Sachs' trial?" the journalists asked eagerly."I admire Cordy, and my family has been eager to work with Cordy since our business already has a foothold here. It's therefore a pity that this would happen to her, and I've come today to see what becomes of this trial."Jessica's response was very formal, but it did not impede her public persona as a decent, understanding person—which won many points in her favor."Are you saying your family would expand the family business into Nort
A while later, the entire courtroom turned silent as the defendant's party and the prosecutors filed inside.Cordy and Quinn both moved to their designated seats in court.John clearly gulped when he saw Cordy.Jessica was right beside him, and her eyes flashed coldly when she saw his reaction. She was aware that John had been helping Cordy prepare her defense, but the news she received was that he did not make much progress. In fact, Jessica herself doubted he was that good he could turn things around in under two weeks.And once Cordy was sentenced, the Levines would do all they could to prevent a relationship between John and Cordy—even if it killed them.Moreover, once Cordy was thrown into prison, Jessica had a million different 'accidents' prepared for Cordy's inevitable demise.While Jessica hatched her little schemes in her head, the court reporter announced the rules and regulations in the courtroom. "All rise." The judicial assistant announced, as Judge Faden—the ju
After that, Helen Zalenski, the accountant working in Starstream Group under Cordy, was brought to the witness stand."Did the defendant order you to wire 700,000 through multiple transactions to this account?" Victor asked. "Yes," Helen replied, keeping her head lowered, afraid to even look Cordy's way. "And did the defendant order you to withhold the untampered tax revenue report?""Yes.""This is redundant, but do you swear you're telling the truth and nothing but the truth?" "Yes," Helen said determinedly."Thank you."Having gotten all the responses he needed, Victor turned back toward Judge Faden. "Your Honor, this concludes the prosecution's witness statements.""Very well. You may return to your seat." "Thank you, Your Honor."Judge Faden then turned toward Quinn. "What does the defendant plead?"Quinn looked up at him then. She had kept her eyes glued to the materials she had, seemingly unaffected despite the solid evidence against Cordy while the prosecution
"Firstly, Xander Lannings is just an employee in the tax bureau. I agree it might be possible that he could tell that there was something wrong with Starstream Group's tax return submission. But how did he manage to find out the deputy commissioner's personal account?""Secondly, Helen Zalenski claimed that my client made her transfer funds to Henry Lane through the account. The evidence presented showed a movement in the balance of 700,000 in one of my client's bank accounts. Yet, the bank was unable to provide video evidence of the opening of the bank account. I do not think it is a mere coincidence that the camera suddenly stopped working.""Thirdly, Helen Zalenski said that my client was the one who instructed her to submit the tax return accordingly. But from what I know, the secretary is the one who assists with Starstream Group's electronic stamp, and signatures documented on paper do not suffice as evidence. After all, talented people abound in this vast universe. Copying ano