The Revenge of the Mute Wife by Melanie Paulson
Chapter 37

Chapter 37

"That's not true. I need Deborah by my side," Roger declared, standing up.

"To have your maid cook and clean for free?" Christian retorted sarcastically. "The evidence of your infidelity is overwhelmingly clear. It's obvious this started right when your marriage began. You've never respected Deborah, so why not separate? It's clear you neither love nor respect her as a person." Christian handed the judge a folder containing more evidence of how poorly Deborah had been treated at home.

Roger scowled and clenched his fists, wanting nothing more than to punch this meddling fool, but he had to restrain himself.

John was also worried about the situation. The video alone was a bombshell against them, and he realized that all the arguments and evidence he had prepared were

Company now useless. Roger had flaunted his affair so openly that everyone in the knew the mistress was the favorite. She was always at the office, taken on shopping sprees, and showered with all the new jewelry releases.

"It seems you're out of arguments, Mr. Peterson," the judge said, reviewing the documents. "This proof confirms that the words in the video are real. You opened an account for your mistress, making very generous monthly deposits, unlike the meager amount you gave Deborah," he read, looking up. "Did you really force Deborah to manage the household on just a thousand dollars a month?"

"What...?" Roger was terrified and glared at Deborah, never considering she'd use the bank statements as evidence.

"A thousand a month?" the public murmured in disbelief.

"Mrs. Peterson, tell me, how did you manage to survive on such a paltry amount each month? I understand there are no children involved, but here are the receipts showing you covered all the basic utilities for the apartment."

[I managed by looking for deals and using coupons to get food and other basic necessities for the house.] Deborah signed while Caroline interpreted her words aloud for everyone to hear.

"And I think there are housewives in the audience who will tell me how absurd it is to survive on a thousand a month, which leads to the conclusion that Deborah had no money for anything because her husband ensured it by preventing her from getting a job," said the judge.

Everyone turned to look at the Peterson family. Isabelle was horrified upon hearing

the public's criticism and dreading what her friends would say. Fredrick was furious and Elliot was equally upset, understanding now why his sister-in-law never bought anything when they had gone out, only asking for a glass of water or merely window-shopping. "I never forbade Deborah from anything," Roger protested.

[You always refused to let me get a job, despite my accounting degree, saying I shouldn't neglect the house.]]

"That's what a good wife does."

"And a good husband should provide and be grateful for the sacrifices his wife makes to take care of him. But in your case, you showed that gratitude to Ms. Sophia Hughes," Christian said, displaying photos of Roger and Sophia entering luxury stores and leaving with many shopping bags, looking very happy and in love.

Roger panicked and, looking back, saw the hateful glare his father was giving him. "I see only the plaintiff's lawyer is speaking. Mr. Peterson, is your lawyer going to object or rebut these arguments?"

"I... uh..." John stammered, struggling to replace the right words to object. But the information Christian had presented was so damning that he felt the lies he had prepared were now useless.

"Idiot, do something," Roger hissed, furious. Losing was not an option for him; it meant saying goodbye to his position as CEO.

"So, any objections? Or should I conclude this absurd trial?"

"Absurd?" Roger repeated.

"Yes, because it's clear that you two should get divorced."