20

Spencer Cypress

The courthouse was busy. People walked in and out, not knowing that I was going to be fighting a battle that would make or break me.

"Let's head inside." Bertie said.

Graham stood next to me in his blue button up shirt, the only formal attire he had. Even his pants were stained in a bit of dirt.

"You ready?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah," I said. "I'm fucking ready."

We walked inside and made our way to the courtroom. Right outside, I bumped into someone before entering inside. I knew who it was when I saw the Jimmy Choos with black leather.

"Well, well, well."

I looked up and saw him. Stevenson Oleander, my ex-boss' right hand man. He had a smirk on his hideous face.

"Asshole," I muttered.

"Watch it, Spencer. Don't forget who is the one that is being branded a whore."

Graham stepped from behind. "Is something wrong, Spencer?" Graham asked. Stevenson looked up to the man behind me.

"I see." He smirked. "Well, I guess Mr. Revolving Door had already found himself a new man. Word of advice, keep cameras around because who knows what lies he'll say about you."

I was going to lunge forward but Graham kept me in place. "Don't." He whispered in my ear.

Stevenson walked away and entered the courtroom. My hands were already starting to shake and sweat. But I had to continue. I couldn't stop now.

Like any standard courtroom, the two sides were split. I sat on the prosecuting side. Though, technically, both sides are prosecuting and defending, Bertie told me not to worry too much about that.

Then he came in. Fergus Manchineel, my former boss, walked in followed by his top-tier lawyers and security. He sat in a wheelchair, which was rolled by his wife. They both had smug looks on their faces.

When he got settled on his side, we all stood up for the judge to come in. Then the jury was settled before we sat.

"This trial is to settle the matter between Spencer Cypress, the plaintiff, and Fergus Manchineel, the defendant." Judge Alan Lebbeck said. "Mr. Cypress, you claim that the defendant has slandered your name after an incident that took place earlier this year, which affected your work and reputation and is now seeking financial compensation. Is that correct?"

My lawyer stood up. "Yes, your honor." He said then sat back down.

"And you, Mr. Manchineel. You claim that the plaintiff has made false allegations that threatened your image and marriage. You also filed a counter lawsuit for reparations in damages. Is that correct?"

Fergus' lawyer, Logan Privet, stood up and confirmed it.

"I will allow the plaintiff to start." The judge said. My lawyer then stood up.

He presented the argument that our affair originally started but pointed out the power imbalances. My lawyer then mentioned the threats made against me. Luckily, my scouring for hours through old emails paid off as I had evidence of Fergus' threats.

I saw the jury writing down notes. Luckily, most of the jury members are young people. But I can't get my hopes up right now.

Then it was time for the defendant to present their case. Of course, it started with the basic victim-blaming. Then they moved on to trying to claim that I was the one who made advances.

Overall, I concluded that their argument was weak. Their entire argument was to take Fergus out of any situation and instead paint me as a horny-sex crazed-incubus.

During the break session, Graham got me a cup of gelato from a place down the street.

"How did you know I like this?" I asked.

He turned away smiling. "Uh, I asked Phoebe. She gave me a list of things that you like." He scooped a bit of gelato and fed it to me.

My lawyer was reviewing some papers.

"So, how is it looking?" I asked Bertie.

"One can never be too confident. But I'd say it's going well. And tomorrow with Amelda Sherman's trial, it will pile on even more."

Lunch was over and the court was back in session. It was now time for the rebuttals. My lawyer was quick to point out inconsistencies in Fergus' narrative and brought up the times he came onto me.

Everything was going well until Fergus' lawyer stood up and said, "We'd like to call Mr. Leon Locust to the stand."

I was prepared for this. I knew they would bring a witness. Walking up to the stand was an old coworker. I don't remember much because the two of us worked separately. But I had to send him forms or faxes from Fergus when I worked with him.

"Leon, how long have you been acquainted with Spencer?" Logan Privet asked.

Leon leaned into the microphone. "Uh, about four years." He replied.

"What kind of a worker would you describe him as?"

"Objection, relevancy." My lawyer shouted. "Mr. Cypress' work has no purpose regarding this case."

Judge Lebbeck looked at Logan. "Sustained. Mr. Privet, ask a question regarding the matter of the case."

"Very well." Logan coughed. "Leon, when did you first notice something going on between Spencer and Fergus?"

"It was last year, sometime during October. I came to work after hours because I had left my phone. As I passed Fergus' office, I could hear the two of them sweet-talking to each other."

"And at all during this bit, did you hear Spencer sounding like he was forced into it?"

"Not at all." Leon said. "Spencer was very much into it, too."

"Objection, your honor." My lawyer said. "This statement is prejudicial. There is no way to corroborate this statement as it has no basis."

"On the contrary. Emails and text messages show that Spencer has a pattern of such behavior." Logan replied. The TV in the courtroom flashed through messages.

"As you can see, Spencer often referred to Fergus as 'a silver fox,' 'sexy beast,' and even 'a white horse I'd like to ride on into the sunset.'"

I lowered my head in shame. I was starting to regret bringing Graham. I didn't want him to see me humiliated in front of him.

"Objection overruled." The judge said.

When Logan finished his questioning, my lawyer stood up. I hoped he had something up his sleeve.

"Leon, do you pride yourself in telling the truth?" He asked.

"Objection! Relevancy!" Logan shouted.

"This is a point on the witness's character, which will coincide with his testimony." Bertie said. The judge allowed it.

"Y-Yes." Leon stuttered.

"Do you recall what happened on the 5th of August last year? Something about a few missing parcels that never arrived at their destination?" Bertie asked.

"I, it was an honest mistake." Leon said, becoming flustered.

"An honest mistake? You messed up with a few numbers, which caused an innocent worker to be fired. A lawsuit would have come your way if it hadn't been for..." Bertie scanned through his notes. "That's right! Fergus, who covered it up."

"Leading, your honor!" Logan shouted.

"I am just trying to establish a basis that Mr. Locust here had a pattern of lying at work. The missing parcels were not the first and certainly not the last mistake he has made."

Bertie turned to the jury.

"Leon here is a liar. He is a cheat, who lets others take the fall for him while he is protected by Fergus. So, I suggest you take his testimony with a grain of salt." He told the jury.

"Uh- Uh." Leon stuttered.

"Do you deny that Fergus is protecting you? You're on the stand." Bertie said.

"Your honor!" Logan shouted.

"Please answer the question." The judge said.

Leon let out a loud sigh and hung his head low. "Yes, he is." He admitted.

Bertie had a satisfied smile on his face. "No more questions, your honor." He said before returning to his seat.

I gave him a nod, which he returned.

"The trial will stop here for today. We will adjourn in three days." The judge announced. He slammed his gavel before leaving the courtroom.

I saw Fergus's jawline clenching. I knew he was angry. His whitened knuckles indicated that. All I could do was let out a sigh of relief.

But the war is far from over. And now, I had to face Graham after he had seen all of that. I hope he doesn't pass judgment too harshly.