Chapter 7 - The Gathering Storm
The corporate elements behind Derek Hale were not going down without a fight. Two weeks after the arrest, Benjamin received a formal summons to appear before the State Senate Committee on Commerce.
Derek’s silent partners—men who held keys to the city’s banking infrastructure—had launched a smear campaign, claiming that Benjamin Cross had manufactured the entire incident to stage a hostile takeover of the Platte County land development project.
"They're trying to turn the courtroom into a circus, Benjamin," Marcus, Benjamin’s private security chief, warned as they sat in the penthouse apartment. "They’ve hired a high-priced defense attorney named Harrison Vance. He’s known for destroying witnesses on the stand. He’s going to attack the validity of the recording, claiming it was edited or coerced by you."
"Let him try," Benjamin said, his eyes dark. "Is Rachel ready to testify?"
"Physically, she’s out of the hospital," Marcus said. "But emotionally? She’s terrified. She knows if Derek gets off on a technicality, they will never be safe."
"She won't be alone," Benjamin said. "I’m testifying first."
The trial began on a cold Tuesday morning in the Jackson County Courthouse. The gallery was packed with reporters, city officials, and corporate executives. Derek Hale sat at the defense table, wearing a crisp blue suit provided by his backers, his expression smug and entirely confident.
Harrison Vance stood before the jury, his voice smooth and persuasive. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what we have here is a classic case of corporate overreach. My client, a hard-working construction foreman, was attempting to manage a difficult family situation involving an unstable relative. The billionaire, Benjamin Cross, used his massive resources to stage a dramatic rescue, manufacture an illegal recording, and seize control of a property worth millions under the guise of charity."
Benjamin sat in the front row of the gallery, his hand resting on Oliver’s shoulder. The boy was dressed in a new suit Benjamin had bought him, his small face set in a look of quiet determination.
"The prosecution calls Benjamin Cross to the stand," the district attorney announced.
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Benjamin stood up, adjusting his tie. As he walked past the defense table, Derek leaned back, a low whisper escaping his lips. "You should have stayed in your car, rich man. You’re out of your depth."
Benjamin didn't look at him. He climbed the steps to the witness stand, placed his hand on the Bible, and swore to tell the truth.
