“You’re a single woman with no family. No prospects. No future. That ruby could change your life.”
“I don’t want a new life. I wanted to keep the one I had.”
The courtroom was silent. Lucia looked at Daniel. He looked away.
Outside, social media exploded. Greedy maid. Fake tears. Lock her up.
That night, Sophie paced in Lucia’s apartment. “We need Noah’s testimony.”
“He’s seven years old. They’ll never allow it.”
“He’s our only witness.”
“Daniel would have to approve. And he won’t go against Eleanor.”
Sophie stopped pacing. “What if we force his hand?”
The next morning, Sophie filed a motion to allow Noah Aldridge to testify. The media went wild. “Lawyer Wants Child to Testify Against Grandmother.”
Daniel finally called Lucia. His voice was strained. “Is this necessary?”
“You know I’m innocent,” she said.
“I don’t know anything anymore.”
“Yes, you do. You’ve always known. You’re just too afraid to admit your mother is a liar.”
Silence.
“Let Noah tell the truth,” Lucia continued. “Please, Daniel. For him.”
He hung up.
But the next day, his lawyer contacted Sophie. “Mr. Aldridge will allow his son to testify.”
Eleanor was furious. She arrived at court the next morning with fire in her eyes.