Chapter 126: Checkmate in the Courthouse
Now, with all the negative press surrounding the Jensons—plus Howard’s injuries, all thanks to Tilda—it felt like karma catching up with them. Payback for how they had treated their own blood—a sister they had ignored, abused, and cast aside.
Time flew.
A few days later, the date for the second court hearing arrived. Since Russell had already issued a public apology and fulfilled Tilda’s conditions, the trial went smoothly. A settlement was reached with little resistance.
Dominic sat in the gallery, his face like stone. For the first time, he really looked at Tilda. And it wasn’t just with hatred; there was something else in his eyes now—fear. Because Tilda wasn’t just connected to Andy anymore. She had ties to Jude from DY Group.
The day they learned Jude had personally taken down the Jenson Group’s internal systems, Dominic, Russell, and Blair had immediately held a meeting. Dominic even tried calling Jude directly, but Jude didn’t even pick up.
By the next morning, news broke—DY Group was officially cutting all ties with the Jenson Group; every single partnership was terminated. Even the multi-billion-dollar deal they’d been negotiating, one DY Group had shown serious interest in, was now dead in the water.
Dominic was so shaken, he could barely function. Sure, for a massive Fortune 500 company like DY Group, a few billion was pocket change, but what major conglomerate walked away from profit without a damn good reason? Unless they were planning to go to war with the Jensons.
Just the thought of going head-to-head with Jude—that deep, unreadable man with terrifying capability—left Dominic completely unsure of victory. That’s why he now viewed Tilda with such fear and hatred. If her revenge ended up dragging Jude and DY Group in as enemies, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Once this hearing ended, he had to confront her.
But just as the trial was wrapping up, Andy suddenly spoke up.
“Your Honor, my client would like to file two final requests regarding her legal rights. First, that the Jenson family is prohibited from retaliating against either of my clients following the conclusion of this case. Second, that they compensate my client for emotional distress and lost wages, totaling 2.5 million dollars.”
Rose’s brow twitched slightly. “Two-point-five million? Andy, this was a minor case. That’s excessive, don’t you think?”
Andy fired back without missing a beat. “Excessive? Why would it be? Tilda did hire me for this, after all. Even though we’re friends, I am charging her the ‘friend rate,’ you know.”
Rose fell silent. She couldn’t argue with that. Getting someone like Andy to handle any case, even a minor one, 2.5 million dollars wasn’t even close to enough. People had offered him hundreds of millions to jump the queue and take their cases first. He’d refused without hesitation and told them to get in line like everyone else.
For the Jensons, 2.5 million dollars was pocket change. Giving it to Tilda left a bitter taste, sure—but it was a small price to pay to shut the case down and stop further damage.
So they agreed to Tilda’s terms.
As Tilda and Andy turned to leave the courtroom, Dominic moved fast.
“Tilda. Stop right there.”
Tilda didn’t even glance his way. She and Andy just picked up their pace and walked right past him.
“Tilda, I said stop! Didn’t you hear me?”
Dominic couldn’t believe she actually had the nerve to ignore him. He sped up, determined to catch up. If Tilda made it past the courthouse doors and into that sea of reporters, it would be nearly impossible to get a word in.
In a quick move, Dominic sprinted forward and spun to block her path.
“Dominic, do you not know how to spell the word shame? Can’t you tell I don’t want to talk to you? I guess the mighty Jenson Group CEO, the heir to the oh-so-powerful Jenson family, is not only a pervert, but also a shameless lapdog. Pathetic,” she said flatly.
Tilda didn’t miss a beat. Her voice was sharp and cutting, zero mercy.
Dominic clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to slap her across the face. “Tilda, I just want to know one thing—what’s your relationship with Jude?” he asked.
“What business is it of yours what kind of relationship I have with Mr. Bell? What makes you think I owe you any explanation just because you asked? Ridiculous.”
Inwardly, Tilda was amused. Thank God Jude had stepped in directly. If he hadn’t, Dominic wouldn’t be half this anxious. So Jude—Slosa’s so-called emperor—had really rattled Dominic this much?
She glanced at Dominic’s rare, panicked expression and smirked. Now that was fun.
Dominic opened his mouth again, about to push further, but Andy stepped in, blocking his way.
Tall and composed, Andy stood eye-level with him. He was smiling, but his emerald green eyes were cold as ice, depthless and unreadable. His lips parted slowly, voice low and androgynous, but firm with authority.
“Mr. Jenson. My client has no interest in speaking with you. Have you already forgotten? In court just now, your father and your legal team agreed without hesitation—not to harass either of my clients.”