Chapter 64
1341 Words
Chapter 64
BENEDICTA’S POV
I knew Angela was in trouble the moment she stopped arguing.
That girl could argue with a wall if she believed the wall was wrong.
But today?
Nothing.
She sat across from me in my office, staring at the folder containing the latest documents from the court.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
I closed my laptop.
“Say something.”
She looked up.
“About what?”
“Anything.”
“I don't know what to say.”
I leaned forward.
“You're scared.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Angela.”
“I’m not scared.”
“Then you're overwhelmed.”
She looked down.
“That, maybe.”
I sighed.
The past few days had changed everything.
The media had attacked her.
She had fought back.
The case had gained attention.
And instead of hiding behind Damian, Angela had stood in court and put her own name on the line.
That was exactly why I refused to let anyone reduce her to Damian's girlfriend.
She had a backbone.
People just hadn't bothered to look for it.
My phone rang.
I checked the screen.
One of my family's legal advisers.
I answered.
“Hello?”
“Benedicta, we need to talk about the case.”
I glanced at Angela.
“Go ahead.”
“The opposing side has been making calls.”
“To whom?”
“Several people connected to the media council.”
I sat straighter.
“Trying to influence the case?”
“Not exactly. They're trying to create pressure around the settlement.”
Angela looked at me.
I put the call on speaker.
“What kind of pressure?”
“They're pushing the narrative that Angela should settle quietly because the case is damaging several companies.”
Angela's eyebrows lifted.
“Several companies?”
I looked at her.
“Yes.”
The adviser continued.
“The original articles were not simply gossip. Some of the publications received information from people with business interests connected to the contract Angela won.”
Angela went still.
I knew that look.
She was connecting the pieces.
“So they're trying to make me look like I got the contract because of Damian,” she said.
“Yes.”
Her expression hardened.
“They're trying to rewrite what happened.”
“Exactly.”
I ended the call.
Angela leaned back.
“So that's why they don't want this case to continue.”
“Probably.”
She looked at me.
“Then it continues.”
I smiled.
“I knew you'd say that.”
---
ANGELA’S POV
The next hearing was different.
The first time I had walked into court, people looked at me like I was a woman desperately clinging to a powerful man.
This time, they looked at me differently.
Not warmly.
Not kindly.
Carefully.
Because now they knew I wasn't withdrawing.
The courtroom was already filling when I arrived.
My lawyer walked beside me.
Benedicta was on my other side.
She had refused to let me come alone.
“You're nervous,” she whispered.
“No.”
“You're squeezing my arm.”
I immediately released her.
She smiled.
“Thought so.”
We entered.
The opposing lawyers were already there.
One of them stood when he saw me.
“Ms. Williams.”
I nodded.
“Good morning.”
He smiled politely.
“We're still hoping your client will reconsider settlement.”
“My client has made her position clear.”
He looked at me.
“You should understand that continuing this case may have consequences beyond the courtroom.”
I stared at him.
I knew what he was trying to do.
Fear me.
Make me think about what I could lose.
I said nothing.
Benedicta stepped forward.
“She understands perfectly.”
The lawyer glanced at her.
“Ms. Benedicta, this is a legal matter.”
“And she's represented by counsel.”
Benedicta smiled.
“So unless you have something relevant to say, stop trying to intimidate her.”
The man's expression tightened.
I almost smiled.
That was Benedicta.
My lawyer touched my elbow.
“Let's go inside.”
We took our seats.
The hearing began.
Evidence was presented.
Copies of the articles.
The original claims.
The lack of verification.
Messages between journalists and sources.
Documents relating to the contract.
The more evidence appeared, the quieter the opposing side became.
Then their lawyer stood.
“Your Honor, we maintain that the publications were expressions of opinion.”
My lawyer stood immediately.
“Calling someone a prostitute while alleging that she exchanged s****l favors for contracts is not a harmless opinion when presented as fact.”
The courtroom went silent.
I kept my eyes forward.
I didn't look at anyone.
Not even when I heard whispers behind me.
“She's really taking this far.”
“She thinks Damian will stay forever.”
“She'll have nothing when he leaves.”
My fingers tightened.
But I remained silent.
I had learned something.
Silence didn't mean weakness.
Sometimes silence meant refusing to give people the reaction they wanted.
The judge called for order.
The hearing continued.
When it finally ended, my lawyer leaned toward me.
“The next hearing will be important.”
I nodded.
Outside the courtroom, reporters gathered.
Questions came from every direction.
“Angela, are you using Damian's influence?”
“Did you sleep with anyone to get your contract?”
“Are you suing because Damian told you to?”
I stopped.
My lawyer looked ready to speak.
But I shook my head.
I didn't answer.
I walked straight past them.
Benedicta followed.
Halfway down the hallway, someone called out.
“Angela!”
I stopped.
A woman stood several feet away.
She smiled cruelly.
“Enjoy Damian while it lasts.”
I looked at her.
She continued.
“When he gets tired of you, what will you have?”
I said nothing.
Not one word.
Benedicta stepped beside me.
“You know what's interesting?”
The woman frowned.
Benedicta smiled.
“Angela doesn't have to answer you.”
The woman opened her mouth.
Benedicta continued.
“But I will.”
I touched her arm.
“Benedicta.”
She looked at me.
I shook my head.
“Leave it.”
She stared at me for a moment.
Then nodded.
We walked away.
Outside, I took a deep breath.
“I almost told her to mind her business.”
“I know.”
“You wanted to say something worse.”
“I absolutely did.”
I laughed.
For the first time that day, the heaviness lifted slightly.
Then my phone vibrated.
I looked at the screen.
Damian.
I heard the hearing is over.
I smiled faintly.
Another message appeared.
I'm not asking how it went.
I raised an eyebrow.
Then:
I'm asking why you haven't eaten.
I laughed.
Benedicta looked at me.
“Damian?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
I showed her.
She laughed.
“That man is obsessed.”
I locked my phone.
“He's annoying.”
“You're smiling.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
I looked away.
My phone vibrated again.
And before you ask, yes, I'm outside.
My eyes widened.
I turned toward the parking area.
A familiar black car was waiting.
Damian stood beside it.
He wasn't smiling.
He was looking directly at me.
And judging by the expression on his face, he had heard something about the woman who had confronted me.
I sighed.
Benedicta grinned.
“Oh, this should be interesting.”
I walked toward him.
Damian's eyes remained fixed on mine.
“Get in.”
I stopped in front of him.
“Why?”
His jaw tightened.
“Because I want to talk to you.”
“About what?”
He glanced toward the courthouse doors.
“About the woman who thought she could speak to you like that.”
I sighed.
“Damian—”
“Get in, Angela.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
And somehow, that was exactly what worried me.
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