Chapter 284
โWyatt, fully aware of Abigailโs close ties with Warren, still pushed him to invest and gave him shares, enabling Warren to acquire a stake in the Gibson Group.โ
โWhen you also consider Abigailโs friendship with Sebastian, Warrenโs close acquaintance, it becomes evident that Abigail had her own agenda from the very beginning,โ Marcus said, his tone firm and resolute.
Ivy responded, her voice sharp. โBut isnโt that just speculation? This is a courtroom, not a place for assumptions. Just because Abigail and Warren are connected, does it really mean that Abigail has been eyeing the Gibson Groupโs wealth since childhood? Should I take it that youโre just trying to sully her reputation?โ
Before Marcus could retort, Ivy raised her voice, unwavering. โYour Honor, I can present evidence regarding the business dealings between Warren and Wyatt. For instance, the Gibson Group, due to Christianโs embezzlement of company funds and the continuous losses in its subsidiaries, still managed to send Daniella three million dollars a month in allowance, despite the dire financial situation. By the time Wyatt became aware of it, the company had incurred over 150 million dollars in losses and was facing intense pressure from the banks for repayment.โ
With that, she signaled to Todd to submit the evidence.
Not pausing for Marcus to speak, Ivy continued. โWhen Wyatt found himself at a loss and learned that Abigail knew Warren through Sebastian, he used this connection to secure Warrenโs investment of one hundred million dollars to help the Gibson Group through its financial troubles. This, Your Honor, is the true nature of their cooperation, and I have both witnesses and solid evidence to prove it.โ
Marcusโ face paled as he absorbed the information.
โThen perhaps you could explain,โ Marcus pressed, โwhy, even before Abigail was imprisoned, despite Biancaโs mistreatment of her, Abigail still went to great lengths to buy Biancaโs medicine? But after her imprisonment, she suddenly stopped and even began to lash out at Bianca? Moreover, Bianca suffers from insomnia, which could lead to serious psychological issues. Abigail, knowing this, continued to harm her. How do you justify this?โ
Ivy met his gaze, unflinching. โWe have evidence showing that when Abigail was first taken back into the Gibson family, she harbored great hopes for her relationship with Bianca. But instead of the welcome she expected, the Gibson family treated her poorly. Iโd like to call our witness, Stephen.โ
As she made the announcement, Bianca and Gabriel instinctively turned their eyes toward Stephen, sitting in the defendantโs seat.
Stephenโs face was pale, and he had lost considerable weight. His unkempt beard gave him a weary, disheveled look. His gaze seemed lost as he stared at Abigail, and when he spoke, his voice was distant, almost detached. โWhen Abigail came back, my mother had very little respect for her. She looked down on her, calling her an orphan from the orphanage, criticizing her lack of refinement, saying she treated inexpensive things like treasures. My mother often undermined her self-confidence. Abigail once wanted to braid her hair like Daniellaโs, but my mother told her she was too uncouth, that even if she tried, it wouldnโt look good.โ
He paused, taking a deep breath. โOne memory sticks with me vividly. Abigail bought a cheap butterfly hairpin at school, the kind with a little spring that made the wings flutter when she ran. The rhinestones made it sparkle. She wore it home one day after school, and Daniella saw it. Daniella insisted on having it, and my mother simply took it from Abigailโs head and gave it to Daniella. I remember coming home that day and seeing Abigail sitting on the steps, watching Daniella proudly wearing the hairpin she had taken from her. Daniella danced for my mother, who clapped along, oblivious to the hurt in Abigailโs eyes. I didnโt really feel anything back then, but looking back, I see just how cruel that moment must have been for her.โ
His words left the room in a heavy silence.
โAbigail wasnโt allowed to wear beautiful dresses or use the things Daniella didnโt wantโshoes, socks, clothes, bags. Daniella had nearly three million dollars a month in allowance, including support from our two older brothers and our parents. But Abigail? Every time she made Daniella cry, her allowance was reduced. In the year before she went to prison, her allowance was only ten thousand, and the card was in Christianโs hands.โ
By now, Stephen seemed resolved to stop protecting the Gibson family.
Ivy handed over the bank statements to Todd, who submitted them without hesitation.
โThere were countless such incidents,โ Ivy said, her tone unwavering. โDespite everything, Abigail never hated the Gibson family. It wasnโt until Daniella, having just turned eighteen, drove her car and killed someone, then fled home and had the entire family pressure Abigail to take the fall and go to prison, that Abigailโs feelings of hatred began. Your Honor, that is the truth.โ Stephenโs voice was eerily calm as he delivered his final words.