The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 207
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As I entered the courthouse, the atmosphere was charged with tension.
Reporters jostled for positions, their cameras capturing every nuance, every
expression on my face as I marched up the steps. The gravity of the situation
sank in, and I steeled myself for what lay ahead.
Jane awaited me inside with a look of resolve. I handed her Linda's victim
statement, which she had faxed over
to me that morning. Just from reading over it, I could tell it would be a powerful
testimony of the horrors she had endured.
“We're ready for this, Evie,” Jane said, her voice steady. “And if all else fails, at
least we got people to think.”
I nodded, gripping the statement tightly. Linda's courage gave me strength. I
certainly did feel like a lawyer then, representing the voiceless.
The courtroom doors swung open, and we stepped inside. The sight that greeted
me was overwhelming. The space was not just occupied by the usual legal
personnel but also by the prying eyes of the public.
Cameras were mounted strategically, capturing every angle, every reaction. It
was a spectacle that I hadn't signed up for.
As I took my seat, I glanced at the witness stand. A few familiar faces stared back
at me, adding a layer of complexity to an already tumultuous situation. Timothy
was sitting with Aria and Lucas, and they all glanced over at me with excitement.
Excusing myself from Jane's side, I approached them wearily.
“Evie!” Aria jumped out of her seat to pull me into a tight hug. “We're here for you,
every step of the way.”
Lucas nodded in agreement. “We'll be watching the whole thing, supporting you.”
Timothy, his eyes revealing a complexity of emotions, met my gaze. “You're going
to do great. Don't pay attention to anyone else,” he said, his voice sincere.
I nodded, a mixture of gratitude and apprehension in my heart. “Thank you,
Timothy. Also, for what you said on

1. TV. That was nice of you...
“Just show the world the Evie I know,” he said with a grin. “The strong, resilient
woman who doesn’t back down.”
I began to blush, and I could already see the headlines: Have Timothy Hayes and
Evie Sinclair rekindled their
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Chapter 207
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“Thank you,” I repeated, then glanced back at Jane. “I should get going. I still
need to discuss some things with
Jane.”
Lucas waved at me. “Don't let us stop you. Do your thing.”
As I made my way back to my seat, the reality of the courtroom drama sunk in.
The eyes of the world were upon me, awaiting the unraveling of a story that had
been thrust into the spotlight. It was a narrative I had never chosen, but one I
was determined to shape.
Jane sat beside me, her gaze scanning the cameras around room. “We’ll have to
move a bit more tactfully, Evie. We need to stay focused on the case, despite the
distractions.”
I nodded, my eyes—-meeting Timothy's for a brief moment. Once this was all over,
he was yet another thing that I needed to figure out:
The proceedings began, the formalities
folding like a choreographed dance. The judge's voice echoed through
the room, his gavel’'s authoritative thud signaling the beginning of the trial.
Jasper stood before the judge, his sharp eyes scrutinizing the jury. His voice rang
out with an air of confidence as he began his opening statement. “Ladies and
gentlemen of the jury, today you will witness a tale spun by a skilled opportunist.
Ms. Evie Sinclair claims to be a victim, but in reality, she is nothing more than
someone seeking to capitalize on the fame and success she gained under Mr.
Erickson’s mentorship.”
His words echoed through the courtroom, and I felt the weight of every
accusatory syllable. Murmurs erupted
among
the spectators. I could sense the collective judgment in the eyes that bore into
me.
As the murmurs intensified, my gaze swept over the faces in the crowd, and I
noticed a few familiar figures from my former firm. Colleagues who seemed more
entertained by this serious matter were watching with keen
interest.
Jasper continued his statement, weaving a narrative that cast me as a cunning
opportunist. I clenched my fists beneath the table, fighting the urge to speak over
him.
“Mr. Erickson is a man who truly defines what it means to be honorable,” he went
on. “After thirty years in his field, are we really going to let that all go down the
drain over some woman's petty insecurities? That, to me, is
the real injustice.”
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As Jasper concluded his opening statement, the judge called for me to take the
stand. I sat with my back straight and my eyes focused solely on Jane as she
began her line of questioning, aiming to counter Jasper’s narrative.
When it was my turn to speak, I faced the jury, my voice steady. “I stand before
you not as an opportunist, but as a survivor. The truth may be uncomfortable, but
it needs to be heard.”
I began recounting the events, the moments of betrayal and violation that had led
me to this courtroom. I could feel the jury’s skepticism, their doubts lingering in
the air. It was as if I were swimming against a relentless current, struggling to
make my voice heard.
However, Jasper was quick to counter. “Your Honor, while Ms. Sinclair's narrative
is compelling, we cannot ignore the lack of real, concrete evidence. Where are
the witnesses? Where is the proof?”
His words echoed in the courtroom, and I felt the weight of his challenge. The
judge’s gaze turned to me, an unspoken demand for the evidence that would
substantiate my claims.
“Ms. Sinclair.” Jasper turned to me with a vicious glare. “You claim to be a victim,
but where is the real evidence? Words can be manipulated and emotions can be
feigned.”
“I understand your skepticism, Mr. Morgan,” I replied, my voice steady. “But the
truth doesn't always come neatly packaged with concrete evidence. I have a
statement here-
Jasper interrupted with a scoff, “A subjective account, Ms. Sinclair. We need
more than emotional narratives. We need real, concrete evidence to support your
claims.”
The judge observed the courtroom with a stern gaze, weighing the exchange. I
dropped my gaze to the envelope in my hands, then pulled out the statement. “If I
may, Your Honor?"
Judge Gregory nodded. “I'll allow it. Proceed, Ms. Sinclair.”
This was my trump card. I held up Linda's victim statement and began to read.
“It reads, “I had endured a hostile work environment where
My professional success was contingent upon my submission to Mr. Erickson’s
desires. This wasn't just an isolated incident; it was a sustained campaign of
abuse that left me feeling trapped and powerless.”
Jasper rolled his eyes. “Your Honor, she’s using emotions as evidence. How are
we to know that this Linda was simply imagining things, or that she isn't in on this
whole scheme?”
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The anger within me flared, a fire ignited by the dismissive tone in his words.
“Concrete evidence, Mr. Morgan?” I retorted. “This statement itself is concrete,
and I have many others to back it up.”
The judge, sensing the tension, intervened with a stern gaze. “Mr. Morgan, allow
Ms. Sinclair to present her case without interruptions. We will consider the
evidence in due time.”
I returned my focus to Linda's statement.
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« . . ag

As Linda details the explicit threats
and the constant fear of losing her
livelihood, it becomes clear that Mr.

; jek = =a
Erickson’s actions wer@notjist
inappropriate they were criminal,” I
declared, my words resonating

« 5 Ws
through the courtroom. “This victim
statement is not just an emotional
account; it is a testament to the
systemic abuse of power that has

»
festered unchecked for far too long.
The content is on Novelxo.org!
Read the latest chapter there!
The judge nodded in acknowledgment, and I could sense a shift in the
atmosphere. The weight of Linda's words had permeated the room, challenging
the skepticism that had lingered in the eyes of the jury.
Jasper, undeterred, seized the opportunity to redirect the narrative. “Are there
other documents that can. corroborate these claims?”
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I ” .
Your Honor," I asserted, my voice
“
steady, “I understand the need for
evidence, and I am committed tn
SEN whatever js fecessary to
sbibstant 2 these claims. However,
we must also acknowledge the
challenges victims face in
documenting these incidents. The
nature of harassment often leaves
AT . ¢ »
victims without tangible proof.” The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
Jasper scoffed dismissively, his tone laced with condescension. “Ms. Stanton, the
court demands more than understanding. It demands evidence. Without it, these
claims remain nothing more than emotional narratives.”
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Right then, my composure almost
slipped, and I had to reel my
5 PE »
emotions back in. “Mr. Morgan,” I
countered, my Chgeton
’, L = 5
hing W&irh ma endured by
victims to a demand for evidence.
The very nature of harassment often
leaves scars that are not easily
quantifiable. We cannot dismiss
- ’ : gs
Linda's pain because it doesn't fit
within your narrow definition of

5 » ®
evidence.” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!

“Are we making personal attacks now?” Jasper bellowed, pointing a finger in my
direction. “Because this sounds very personal, Ms. Sinclair.”

“It is personal!” I growled back. “It was both of you that ruined my livelihood over
rumors that you decided to spread!”

The judge intervened, a stern gaze directed at both of us as he banged his gavel
on the stand. “Order in the court! Ms. Sinclair, continue with your testimony, and
Mr. Jasper, refrain from dismissive comments.”

Just as I prepare to take my seat, the courtroom doors swung open with a force
that startled everyone. A group of women entered, their faces a mix of
determination and solidarity. As they stepped forward, I recognized them -my old
colleagues.

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