SLYVIA'S POVI woke up the next day, feeling groggy and disoriented. As I rubbed my eyes and yawned, the memory of last night's conversation with Raymond came rushing back, hitting me like a wave. My heart sank, anxiety tightening its grip on my chest as I realized he was still here, sleeping on the couch in the living room. I dreaded facing him this morning, but I knew I had to.I slowly got out of bed and padded to the bathroom, trying to shake off the heaviness that had settled over me. After a quick splash of water on my face, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the day ahead. The kids needed to be prepared for school, and I had to keep it together for them.Walking down the hallway, I peeked into Zendaya and Zenith's room. They were still asleep, their small bodies tangled in blankets. I smiled softly, their peaceful faces giving me a momentary sense of calm. I closed the door quietly and headed towards the kitchen.As I passed through the living room, I saw Raymond lying o
SLYVIA'S POVI took a deep breath and set to work getting the kids ready for the day. First, I ran a bath for Zendaya and Zenith, making sure the water was just the right temperature. As they splashed and played, I couldn't help but smile at their carefree joy, even though my mind was heavy with thoughts of Raymond.After their bath, I carefully brushed their hair, making sure there were no tangles. Zendaya giggled as I styled her hair into two neat braids, and Zenith wriggled impatiently, eager to get dressed."Hold still, Zenith," I said with a laugh. "We don't want your hair sticking up all over the place."Once their hair was done, I helped them into their school uniforms. Zendaya's skirt and blouse fit perfectly, and Zenith looked so grown-up in his little blazer. I packed some snacks for them, making sure they had their favorite treats—apple slices for Zendaya and cheese crackers for Zenith."Alright, kids, are you ready to go?" I asked, trying to sound cheerful."Yes, Mommy!" t
GRAYSON'S POVI woke up that morning with a clear mission: to be there for Sylvia. Today was crucial, and I knew my presence could influence Judge Edwards to judge fairly. With that thought driving me, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching to shake off the remnants of sleep.I made my way out of my room and headed to the kitchen. The house was quiet, the early morning light filtering through the curtains. As I walked, I couldn't help but think about how much was riding on today's hearing. Sylvia needed all the support she could get, and I intended to provide it.In the kitchen, I grabbed a bowl and poured myself some cereal, topping it off with milk. As I ate, I mentally ran through the plan for the day. I would go to the courthouse, show my support, and ensure that Judge Edwards knew I was watching. He needed to know that any unfair judgment wouldn't go unnoticed.Finishing my breakfast, I put the bowl in the sink and took a moment to steady myself.I went
JOCELIA'S POVAs 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
SYLVIA'S POVWhen the judge announced a recess, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I desperately needed a breath of fresh air after the stunt Jocelia had pulled. Bringing in someone from my past, someone from my days as "Raven" the stripper, was a low blow, even for her. It was designed to embarrass me, to make me look like an unreliable, untrustworthy person.I glanced around the courtroom, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on me. Grayson's gaze was concerned, but I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes for long. Instead, I focused on getting out of the room.Once outside, I took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill my lungs. I walked a few steps away from the building, trying to clear my head. My thoughts were racing. I knew Jocelia would stop at nothing to see me crumble, but I hadn't expected her to go this far."Are you okay?" Lisa, one of my lawyers, asked as she approached me.I nodded, though I didn't feel okay. "I'm fine. Just... that was a lot to take in."Lisa g
GRAYSON'S POVWe finally got back into the courtroom, and I took my seat with a renewed sense of confidence. I knew Sylvia wasn't giving up without a fight, and this pathetic attempt at character assassination by Jocelia proved they had nothing concrete—just fabricated lies for emotional blackmail.I had just finished speaking with some of my board members about pushing Sylvia's company to go public and investing more in it. I believed that after she wins today, it would increase her stock value and boost sales. This trial was a temporary storm, but Sylvia had the resilience and tenacity to weather it.As I sat down, I glanced over at Sylvia. She was talking intently with her lawyers, clearly strategizing their next move. I admired her strength and determination. Despite the odds, she never backed down. Her spirit was unbreakable, and it only made me more certain of my decision to support her both personally and professionally.I noticed Raymond sitting nearby, looking a bit tense but
GRAYSON'S POVAs we stepped out for the recess, a few of the board members I had spoken with earlier approached me. Their expressions were a mix of relief and admiration.“Grayson, you were right,” one of them said. “Sylvia is innocent. With this court hearing being televised live, everyone will see this and support her. It's going to be great for business.”I nodded, feeling a sense of pride. "Exactly. This will not only clear her name but also boost the company's reputation significantly."Just then, my phone buzzed. It was my lawyer. “Grayson, I just watched Sylvia's lawyer dismantle Julia's case. You were right to advise me to step back and let Sylvia handle things. She really didn’t need our help.”I smiled, feeling a wave of satisfaction. “I knew she was confident enough to handle this on her own. She wanted to prove herself, and she's doing just that.”As I hung up, I turned to see Sylvia and Raymond talking a short distance away. Raymond gave her an encouraging nod before head
JOCELIA'S POVI walked back into the courtroom, my nerves steeled for what was to come. I took my seat next to Grayson, who barely acknowledged me. The tension was palpable, but I kept my face composed. The judge entered, and the courtroom fell silent as he began to address us.As he spoke, I glanced at Sylvia. She looked nervous, but there was a glimmer of determination in her eyes. I shifted my focus to Julia, who seemed equally tense. Finally, the judge looked at me, then at Grayson. Grayson leaned forward slightly in his seat, a subtle but intense warning. It unsettled me, but I pushed the feeling aside, confident that I still had the judge in my pocket.The judge continued, "After much deliberation of the evidence presented, this court has reached a verdict." He looked at Julia, then at Sylvia. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.Finally, he said, "Sylvia has been proven innocent of all charges laid against her."For a moment, I couldn’t process what I had just heard