Chapter 274

Serena's POV

I held my breath, joining everyone else in the courtroom as we watched Dylan prepare to play the third video. This piece of evidence would prove crucial to today's proceedings. The tension in the room was palpable - I could feel the weight of anticipation pressing down on my shoulders, making the already stiff wooden bench seem even more uncomfortable.

The video showed Garrett Thorne alone, talking on his phone. I listened intently to every word, my heart pounding so loudly I worried it might interfere with the audio: "I've heard rumors about an anonymous tip concerning Lucas Harrington's illegal business activities. I haven't traced the source yet, but it will definitely lead back to you. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say, and make sure you relay this to Samuel as well."

I watched as he continued, his expression calculated and cold: "When the time comes, you and Samuel should plead guilty immediately and insist that Lucas Harrington was the mastermind behind everything. We have enough evidence prepared to make it appear as if he orchestrated it all. He won't be able to defend himself. I've already arranged everything with the relevant parties in the court. Just follow my lead and don't slip up."

Then came the threatening promise, each word making my stomach turn: "Don't worry about the sentence, whether it's five or ten years. I can arrange for your early release. Once you're out, you'll be well compensated. Your families will be taken care of - I'll make sure they're looked after properly."

The final warning made my blood run cold: "One last reminder - you must never mention me or any member of my family. If you're unsure about how to answer any questions, just stay silent. After this is over, you'll be well rewarded for your cooperation."

The high-definition video was so clear that I could make out the phone number displayed on Garrett's screen - it belonged to Grayson, though it wasn't saved under any name, just a string of numbers. I noticed Lucas's lawyer, Dylan, watching the jury's reactions carefully as they viewed this damning evidence.

After presenting this powerful piece of evidence, Dylan wasn't finished. He produced several more recordings obtained through digital forensics - conversations between Grayson and other parties that perfectly aligned with Garrett's instructions, further proving their collusion.

My gaze never left Lucas throughout the proceedings. He maintained an impressive composure, his expression unchanged whether the evidence seemed to favor or condemn him. His calm demeanor in the face of such serious accusations was remarkable, though I could see the slight tension in his jawline that others might miss.

Suddenly, Benjamin Kennedy spoke up: "Your Honor, may I ask the defendant a few questions?"

After receiving the judge's permission, Kennedy approached Lucas. I noticed Dylan taking a small step back, his confidence in his client evident in this simple gesture.

"Mr. Harrington, there are several aspects of this case that require clarification," Kennedy began, his voice carrying across the hushed courtroom.

"Very well," Lucas replied, his voice deep and steady, his posture remaining impeccable despite the hours we'd spent in court.

When Kennedy posed his question, I felt my heart constrict: "Regarding this case, between 2018 and 2021, did you ever discover what Grayson and Samuel were doing behind your back? Or perhaps you knew and tacitly approved of their actions, given your close relationship with the Thorne family?"

I immediately recognized the trap - if Lucas admitted to knowing anything, he could be charged with complicity! But strangely, Dylan made no move to object to this clearly leading question. He remained calm, standing to the side. I understood why - in his twenty years of legal practice, he had never encountered a client with such detailed evidence and precise thinking as Lucas. Dylan knew Lucas wouldn't fall for any manipulation.

Lucas's POV

Facing Benjamin Kennedy's pointed questioning, I responded calmly, "I didn't know." After a brief pause, I added, "To be precise, I began to notice something about a month before my return to Manhattan, but by then, it was clear they were already starting to wind down their operations. The number of potential victims was decreasing."

Benjamin Kennedy immediately pressed further: "From what I understand, you returned at the beginning of this year. Why didn't you report this immediately? Were you covering for the Thornes because of your connection to them?"

I explained with measured composure: "No, that's not the case. At that time, I had no idea the Thornes were involved, and I received no benefits from this situation. I had no reason to cover anything up. However, since this directly affected my interests and reputation, I certainly couldn't remain passive. Based on what I knew about my subordinates, Grayson and Samuel, they neither had the courage nor the capability to orchestrate such an elaborate scheme and maintain silence after defrauding so many people. The only logical explanation was that a powerful entity was protecting them."

I noticed Benjamin Kennedy nodding, apparently accepting my reasoning. He didn't seem to think I was trying to distance myself artificially. I continued, "Therefore, I began a discreet investigation to avoid alerting anyone. Mr. Kennedy, you must understand that even the slightest hint of investigation would have allowed certain powerful figures to quickly obscure the truth. To avoid becoming a scapegoat, I had no choice but to keep my investigation secret initially."

"Your approach was sound," Benjamin Kennedy acknowledged.

With a trace of bitterness in my heart, I proceeded: "I began monitoring Grayson and Samuel's activities, observing their every move. I tracked down the list of victims, investigated their accounts, and eventually discovered that all evidence pointed to the Thorne family. Like you, I found it hard to believe. My connection with the Thornes runs deep - beyond my relationship with Rachel Thorne, my grandfather and Clarence Thorne were lifelong friends and veterans. I didn't want to believe they would not only employ illegal methods but also arrange for me to take the fall as their scapegoat."

Reflecting on this, I continued with disappointment evident in my voice: "Before all this, I truly believed the Thornes valued me, that our families' relationship would span generations."

"After discovering the Thorne connection, I became even more cautious in my investigation, careful not to arouse their suspicion. It took me over three months to truly gain their trust, allowing me to remain in Portland and assist with the Thorne Group's operations. This position gave me better access to investigate questionable transactions and install surveillance. However, due to their persistent wariness, I could only successfully monitor Garrett and Rachel Thorne. As for Clarence Thorne, the family patriarch, I admit my limitations in gathering evidence against him."

"Working within one's capabilities is the wisest strategy," Benjamin Kennedy affirmed.

"Yes," I nodded in agreement. "Fortunately, the evidence gathered from monitoring Rachel and Garrett Thorne helped uncover the entire case. The first recording that Attorney Yang presented - the conversation between Grayson and Garrett Thorne - was discovered by a cybersecurity expert who accessed Grayson's phone. This led us to focus on Garrett Thorne as a key target. We then identified my virtual IP messaging account, located the victim list, traced bank account notifications, and ultimately used my connection to the Thornes to obtain all the necessary video evidence."

Standing firmly in court, I declared: "I am the anonymous whistleblower in this case."

My statement caused an immediate stir in the courtroom. I heard surprised murmurs until the judge called out, "Order in the court!"

Benjamin Kennedy looked at me intently: "You're the anonymous whistleblower?"

"Yes, after gathering all the evidence, I reported it to the Attorney General's office."

"Why report yourself when you had clear evidence of your innocence?"

I explained: "Because only by reporting myself could I ensure they would lower their guard and allow the truth to surface. I feared that if I simply submitted my evidence, it would be buried. This was the only way - a public approach - to protect myself while ensuring the real perpetrators would face justice."

As I finished speaking, spontaneous applause erupted throughout the courtroom. Listening to the sustained applause, I knew that justice would finally prevail.