Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 333

At ten o'clock, the courthouse was buzzing. Outside, reporters swarmed, eager for updates on the high-profile case involving Bartels Hospital's pharmaceutical branch in Banyan City. The trial, set to be broadcast live, had captured widespread attention. Near the elevator, two groups collided. The Bartels Group's entourage was imposing, a parade of sharp lawyers, pivotal witnesses, and solid evidence. In stark contrast, Whitney arrived with only Kelvin by her side, starkly alone without a single witness to call her own. Elaine couldn't help but smirk at the sight.

Zane, with a casual grin, glanced at Whitney before addressing the press. "I'm as baffled as anyone. Why would Ms. Valentine sue the Bartels Group with nothing but her accusations? I've never even met this Keegan fellow. Impulsive actions from a young lady, I understand, but without solid evidence, we'll have to consider defamation charges against Ms. Valentine."

Kelvin tightened his grip on his slim folder of court documents, wiping away sweat.

Elaine's confidence only grew, convinced Whitney was merely posturing until the trial commenced.

Catching sight of Ludwik approaching, Elaine's demeanor softened. "Ms. Valentine, I know you've got it out for me, but accusing my father and the Bartels Group because of our pharmaceutical operations in Banyan City? Reaching for the stars, aren't we? Regardless, the law is fair. If your uncle is a murderer, he must face the consequences. Trying to slander the Bartels family to exonerate him while targeting me is quite the scheme."

Whitney ignored Ludwik's arrival, her response icy. "Save it. If the Bartels family has blood on their hands, they'll pay. Slanderers will face justice. Today, the truth will out, and the guilty will be exposed and jailed." Elaine faltered, sensing an undefined threat.

Delphine, Elaine's mother, sneered softly, "Relying on a public defender, Whitney? A minnow can't win against a shark. I'd love to see how you plan to pull this off without making a fool of yourself. We'll be watching." Zane and Delphine entered the courtroom with pride.

Elaine, holding Ludwik's arm, looked worriedly at Whitney. "Ludwik, Ms. Valentine is delusional, thinking she can challenge the Bartels Group with no evidence. She went to extremes to reopen the case against Jaxon, leading him to his end. And now, she blames me for his suicide."

Ludwik remained silent, his gaze briefly meeting Whitney's weary eyes, showing signs of a sleepless night.

Lost in thought for a moment, he then returned his attention to Elaine. Today, he was there at Elaine's insistence, curious about the trial's outcome.

"Let's go," Ludwik finally said, as they made their way into the courtroom, leaving Whitney to gather her resolve.

Whitney's facade of strength crumbled. She had played her card, but Jaxon hadn't taken the bait. Without a witness, her situation seemed dire.

Tiana, her assistant, was panicking. "Whitney, what do we do now? It looks like Jaxon's giving up on his daughter. Do we even attend the trial? It'll be a farce."

Whitney, after a deep breath, decided to proceed. "We're going in. My uncle is waiting for me to save him. Tiana, we have one last move to make. Do exactly as I say..."

She explained her plan, leaving Tiana wide-eyed and doubtful.

Once in the courtroom, the gravity of the situation hit Whitney as she saw Keegan, her uncle, shackled and hopeful.

The presiding judge began, "In the case of Keegan's alleged murder of Lyle in prison, the plaintiff accuses Bartels Hospital of conspiring to drug Keegan, leading to violence and a wrongful murder charge. We seek evidence and witnesses against the Bartels Group." Kelvin, nervous and fumbling with his documents, was the underdog against the corporate legal might of the Bartels Group.

Zane watched, amused, as Elaine smirked, certain of their victory.

The judge pressed for evidence. "Plaintiff's counsel?"

"We have...," Kelvin started, looking towards Whitney for reassurance, "a partial list of illegal drugs produced by Bartels Hospital and evidence of bribes to prison guards and inmates by Jaxon, to provide false testimony..."

"The relevance of these accusations to the case at hand is questionable," retorted the Bartels Group's lawyer. "There's no proof that the drugs found in Keegan came from our facilities. Jaxon's actions, may he rest in peace, were his own and not representative of the Bartels Group." Kelvin was on edge, countering with a heated tone, "Jaxon works for the Bartels Group, right under the heiress. Why would he bribe a prison guard out of the blue? It's gotta be the Bartels pulling strings behind the curtain!"

"Do you have any proof, Kelvin? Or are you planning to summon Jaxon's spirit to testify for you?"

The Bartels Group's lawyer sneered at Whitney, "I've seen false accusations before, but Ms. Valentine spouting such baseless claims is a first for me!"

Kelvin's face turned a shade of red, a mix of anger and helplessness as he glanced towards Whitney.

Zane and Delphine shared a smug, cold laugh. Was this the best Whitney could muster?

It was even more of a circus than they had anticipated.

The audience in the courtroom began murmuring among themselves.

"Seriously, the plaintiff hasn't presented a single piece of solid evidence!"

"Is Whitney just looking for a payout?"

"Her company, Skye Gem Ltd., has been all the rage lately. Got a bit too cocky, perhaps? Her uncle's a murderer, and she's trying to overturn the case without a shred of evidence. Thinks she can take on the Bartels because they're rich?" "Can the law really let her get away with this slander? People like her need to be punished!"

The judge frowned, "Please submit any evidence relevant to this case. Do you have any witnesses?"

"The witness... hasn't arrived yet." Kelvin nearly lost his footing, repeatedly glancing at Whitney.

Whitney's gaze remained fixed on the door...

"What do you mean hasn't arrived? Sounds like you don't have anyone at all!"

"This attempt to overturn the case is a joke. Whitney trying to frame the Bartels Group looks like she's going to be the one embarrassed."

The murmurs grew louder.

Zane smirked, signaling to the lawyer.

Without missing a beat, the lawyer presented a motion, "Your Honor, given the plaintiff's lack of evidence in seeking to overturn the case, we request the original verdict on Keegan be upheld, and demand a public apology from Whitney. For her deliberate defamation, commercial crimes, and illegal entry into the Bartels Pharmaceutical Factory to gather evidence, we have solid proof. We now formally charge her and request her immediate arrest and sentencing!"

The courtroom went silent, then erupted into chaos, most scoffing at Whitney as she got what she deserved.

The court clerk handed the Bartels Group's lawyer's documents to the judge.

Elaine couldn't help but smirk triumphantly, casting a glance at Ludwik beside her, whose brow was furrowed in thought, his intentions unreadable.

But inside, she was trembling with excitement.

Finally, Whitney's downfall was imminent.

This trial was going even more smoothly than she had anticipated.

Feeling the cold air from the man next to her, she feigned a sigh, "Ludwik, my father is a kind-hearted man. The vast Bartels Group wouldn't target someone as insignificant as Keegan unless pushed. It's not like Ms. Valentine left us any choice. You're not still concerned about Ms. Valentine, are you?"

Ludwik gave Elaine a brief look.

Something was off about this trial. Whitney had been on the defensive the whole time, which wasn't like her at all. No evidence presented?

Ludwik stood up, deciding to step out and call Parker to check on last night's events.