Chapter 7 - The Trap is Set
Rebecca's lawyer, Mr. Jenkins, aggressively slapped a thick stack of papers onto the mahogany table.
"Gentlemen, we are here to ensure my client is adequately compensated for her suffering," Jenkins began pompously.
"My client has endured severe emotional distress and physical intimidation."
"If you sign this settlement today, we will quietly walk away and spare your mother from criminal prosecution."
Sterling leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands, feigning genuine curiosity.
"Fascinating," Sterling murmured softly.
"You are claiming that an eighty-year-old woman, who recently suffered a stroke, violently attacked your client?"
"Yes," Rebecca interjected sharply, her eyes flashing with malice.
"She threw herself at me in the kitchen."
"I was terrified for my life."
"I have bruised ribs from where she shoved me against the counter."
I clenched my fists under the table, my fingernails digging painfully into my palms.
The ease with which she lied was sociopathic.
"And you have medical records to prove these bruised ribs?" Sterling asked politely.
Jenkins waved his hand dismissively.
"We don't need medical records, we have my client's sworn testimony."
"Furthermore, due to Mr. Vance kicking her out, my client is currently staying in a hotel."
"We expect immediate reimbursement for those expenses."
Sterling looked at me, giving me a microscopic nod.
It was time.
"Mr. Jenkins," Sterling said, his voice dropping its friendly tone.
"Are you aware that lying during legal proceedings, or attempting to extort assets using false criminal threats, is a felony?"
Jenkins scoffed loudly, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Are you threatening me, Sterling?"
"No," Sterling replied, pulling a small silver flash drive from his jacket pocket.
"I am simply educating you before I destroy your client's entire life."
Sterling plugged the flash drive into the smart-TV mounted on the wall of the conference room.
Rebecca's smug smile began to falter slightly.
"What is that?" she demanded, a hint of nervousness creeping into her voice.
"This," I finally spoke up, staring dead into her eyes.
"Is the security footage from the smoke detector camera in the kitchen."
All the color drained from Rebecca's face in a fraction of a second.
She looked as though she had just been struck by lightning.
"A camera?" she whispered, her voice cracking.
May you like
"You didn't know?" Sterling asked with mock sympathy.
"Let's roll the tape, shall we?"
