ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT

JOCELIA'S POV

As I sat down next to Grayson, I crossed my legs and rested my left hand on his thigh. I glanced around the courtroom, feeling a surge of satisfaction. This was it. Everything was about to unfold just as I had planned.

The proceedings began, and Julia Lake, the woman I had strategically planted to ruin Sylvia and her company, was called to the stand. I watched intently as her lawyer approached her with a serious expression, ready to launch into the carefully rehearsed narrative.

"Ms. Lake, could you please explain to the court how exactly Sylvia Bennett's company almost killed your child and left you bankrupt?" the lawyer asked, his voice somber.

Julia took a deep breath, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm a single mother," she began, her voice trembling. "My husband died while in active service. I used his insurance money to purchase a property that Sylvia Bennett's company was selling. They promised me it was safe, that it was a sound investment."

She paused for dramatic