Chapter 16 - Trial of Mason Falls
Word of the legal battle spread through Mason Falls like wildfire. On the morning of the emergency hearing, the historic county courthouse was packed to capacity. Townspeople, business owners, farmers, and children filled the wooden pews, whispering nervously as Julian Sterling sat at the plaintiff's table with a team of five elite capital lawyers.
At the presiding bench sat Judge Harrison—a stern, unyielding magistrate known for strict adherence to property law.
Julian’s lead attorney stood up, presenting a stack of certified documents. "Your Honor, the records clearly show that the land upon which Mason Falls built its public center was leased, not sold, by the Sterling family in 1890. The lease has expired. My client demands total repossession or an immediate payout of twenty million dollars from the town treasury."
The courtroom gasped. The town treasury didn't have twenty million dollars; paying it would bankrupt every family in the valley.
Then, Daniel Vance stood up from the defense table alongside Clara and Mr. Bowers. In his hands, Daniel carried the iron chest recovered from the secret alcove.
"Your Honor," Daniel said, his deep voice resounding through the hall. "We request permission to present counter-evidence recovered from the secret archives of the founding fathers."
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Julian Sterling scoffed aloud. "This is absurd! A rusty box brought in by a local contractor?"
"Silence in the court!" Judge Harrison slammed his gavel down. "Mr. Vance, open the box."
