Harvey Lancaster adjusted his tie and stepped toward the witness stand, his movements deliberate and confident. His voice, calm yet assertive, broke the courtroom's heavy silence.
"Ms. Riverplate, let's revisit the subject of your father's will. You've asserted that you were unfairly excluded from inheriting shares in Blackwell Investments. However, isn't it true that while your father may have excluded you from the company, he left you other significant inheritances?"
Gregory Baldwin rose swiftly from his seat. "Objection, your Honor! The nature of my client's other inheritances is irrelevant to the matter at hand."
Harvey turned to the judge, his tone steady. "Your Honor, I respectfully disagree. The plaintiff's claim rests on the assertion of unjust treatment. It's important to establish the full context of what she did inherit, as it speaks directly to the fairness of Cassius Blackwell's decisions."
Judge Patterson leaned forward, considering the argument. After a moment, he nodded. "Overruled. Proceed, Mr. Lancaster."
Harvey gave a polite nod and returned his focus to Stephanie. "Ms. Riverplate, isn't it true that your father left you access to a Swiss bank account containing $18 billion and ownership of the Blackwell Real Estate Company, which is currently valued at $48 billion?"
Stephanie hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line before she answered. "Yes, he did. But that's beside the point. It's not even a tenth of what he left Alexander. This disparity is an injustice."
A wave of murmurs swept through the courtroom, but Harvey's expression remained impassive. He let her words hang in the air for a moment before continuing.
"Let's move on," Harvey said, his tone neutral. "Ms. Riverplate, is it also true that your father paid $20 million for your wedding and purchased a $175 million house in Bel Air for you and your husband so you could be closer to his work?"
Gregory was on his feet again. "Objection! Irrelevant and inflammatory."
Harvey raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "No problem, your Honor. I'll rephrase." He shifted his approach, pacing slightly. "Ms. Riverplate, is it true that, years before he asked my client, your father invited you to join Blackwell Investments and offered you a leadership role? And isn't it also true that you turned him down, stating you wanted nothing to do with him or his company?"
Gregory slammed his palm on the table. "Objection! Counsel is badgering the witness and twisting her words."
Harvey faced the judge. "Your Honor, this is central to understanding the plaintiff's current claims. Ms. Riverplate's past statements and actions are directly relevant to her argument that she was unjustly excluded from the company."
Judge Patterson hesitated, his gavel hovering. "Proceed carefully, Mr. Lancaster."
Harvey nodded, his voice softening. "Ms. Riverplate, did you or did you not say at that time that your father was, quote, 'the devil' and that you wanted nothing to do with him or his company?"
Stephanie's jaw tightened, and her eyes flashed with anger. Before she could answer, Gregory interrupted again. "Objection! This is inflammatory and prejudicial."
Judge Patterson raised his hand, silencing both attorneys. "Mr. Lancaster, move on."
Harvey stepped back, raising his hands in deference. "Of course, your Honor. I'll ask a different question." He turned back to Stephanie. "Ms. Riverplate, is it true that after you got married and moved out, your father attempted to contact you multiple times, but you refused to answer his calls?"
Gregory's voice rang out once more. "Objection, your Honor! Counsel is speculating on the reasons behind my client's actions."
Before the judge could respond, Stephanie's voice cut through the tension. "Yes, it's true," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I didn't answer his calls. And yes, I told him I wanted nothing to do with him or his company. But that was because my father was a cruel man."
The courtroom fell silent as all eyes turned to Stephanie. She straightened in her seat, her green eyes blazing. "My father was loving and caring in his own way, but he never supported my dreams. While he paid for my education, he constantly discouraged me from pursuing my goals. When we were children, he would take Alexander to his meetings, to his business deals. But if I ever volunteered to go, he'd say, 'Business is not for little girls like you. Go play with your dolls.'"
Her voice cracked slightly, but she pressed on. "Yes, I ran away because he was stifling me. While I loved him, he underestimated me. I deserve my fair share of the property, not because of the money, but because I earned the right to be recognized as his equal." She turned to face Alexander, her gaze unwavering. "You know this is true."
Harvey remained silent, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he nodded curtly. "No further questions, your Honor."
Gregory rose from his seat, his voice firm. "Your Honor, the plaintiff would like to call our next witness."
He gestured toward the door, which creaked open slowly. All eyes turned as a figure stepped into the room