CHAPTER 8
The silence in Courtroom 402 was so absolute that you could hear the soft ticking of the wall clock fifty feet away.
Judge Vance’s eyes scanned the forensic report, her expression transforming from neutral professional detachment into deep, dangerous fury.
She looked up from the papers, her sharp eyes locking onto Joshua, who was sweating profusely through his white dress shirt.
"Mr. Miller," Judge Vance said, her voice dropping an octave into a tone that made even Marcus Hayes step back from the table. "Did you just testify under oath that your wife signed page forty-two at your kitchen table last night?"
Joshua opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. His throat worked silently as he looked frantically at his attorney.
"Your Honor..." Hayes stammered, his polished confidence completely destroyed. "We... request a brief recess to consult with our client—"
"Request denied!" Judge Vance slammed her hand onto the bench, the sound echoing like a gunshot through the room. "Mr. Miller, you are currently under oath in a state district court. I will ask you one more time, and I strongly advise you to consider the legal consequences of your answer."
Joshua gripped the edges of the wooden witness box, his knuckles turning white as his gaze flicked back and forth between the judge and me.
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I sat at my table, sitting tall, my hands folded neatly in my lap, looking at him with absolute, unyielding calm.
"I... I..." Joshua choked out, his voice cracking violently. "I want to exercise my Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination."
