Broken Bond: Claimed by My Ex-Husband's Alpha Billionaire Uncle-Chapter 18: A Witness

"Objection, Your Honor!" Victor exclaimed, "This suggestion is absolutely reprehensible. I will not accept any suggestion to harm my client in the courtroom to protect her dignity."

The judge seemed to dislike the idea as well, so he said, "Mr. Anders, this is a court, not a circus. Your suggestion is denied."

Charlotte clenched her fists until her nails dug into her skin. She understood that Julian was barbaric and heartless, but she hadn’t expected him and his lawyer to go this far.

To suggest harming a victim of abuse? Ridiculous.

Only a truly heartless person would suggest such a thing in court.

She turned slightly to look at Damon. He was the one who had told her not to show her emotions in court, but he looked even more angry than she did.

He looked like he wanted to punch Julian right in the face.

"Thank you, Your Honor." Victor nodded, then continued, "To corroborate the evidence, I have submitted an affidavit from a former housemaid who worked at Mr. Warren’s house for three years."

Julian’s face darkened. He had fired the maid who sympathized too much with Charlotte and sent her abroad last year.

But how could she come back without him knowing?

He growled, then looked back at his filthy rich uncle. If there was anyone who could get her back immediately and protect her, it had to be Damon.

Mr. Anders said, "Your Honor, while the affidavit is compelling, it remains a written statement. We request that this witness be brought into court for cross-examination to test the credibility of her testimony."

Victor smiled faintly. "Your Honor, the witness is indeed in court today. With your permission, I’d like to call her to the stand."

A middle-aged woman suddenly rose from her chair. She covered her face with a scarf so Julian couldn’t recognize her earlier.

The judge nodded. "Permission granted. Call the witness to the stand."

Victor gestured to the woman. "Please state your name for the record."

"My name is Maria Lopez," she said, her voice calm. "I worked as a housemaid for Mr. Warren for three years."

Charlotte’s eyes softened as she looked at Maria. When she lived with Julian, Maria had been the only maid who had cared for her and comforted her when she wanted to cry.

She cared for her so much that she bravely confronted Julian when he tried to hit Charlotte. Her action infuriated Julian, who immediately fired Maria and punished Charlotte more severely that night.

Victor approached. "Maria, can you confirm the details of the affidavit you filed regarding the abuse you witnessed?"

Maria looked at Charlotte, her eyes softening. "Yes, I can confirm it. I saw Mrs. Dawson’s injuries on several occasions. I also heard Mr. Warren threaten her, saying that no one would believe her if she tried to report him."

Mr. Anders quickly interjected, "Your Honor, we contend that this testimony could be biased, considering Maria was fired by Mr. Warren."

Maria looked directly at the judge. "I was fired because I refused to turn a blind eye to the abuse. I tried to stop Mr. Warren when he was about to beat Mrs. Dawson when she had passed out, but he threatened to destroy my life instead."

"He forcibly sent me abroad and would not even let me return to this country to see my family."

Maria gave Julian a sharp look. "If someone hadn’t helped me and guaranteed my protection, I might have died as soon as I crossed the border."

The tension in the courtroom grew. Charlotte bit her inner lips, fighting back tears as Maria’s words brought back memories she had tried to suppress.

If Damon hadn’t helped her find Maria, Charlotte might have carried the guilt for the rest of her life for letting Julian hurt the one person who cared about her.

The judge leaned forward. "Mr. Hale, continue your questioning, but make sure the testimony stays relevant and factual."

Victor nodded. "Maria, do you have any physical evidence to support your testimony?"

Maria reached into her pocket and pulled out a small notebook. "I have been keeping a record of the dates and details of the abuse I have witnessed, in the hope that one day it might help Mrs. Dawson."

Victor handed the notebook to the court. "Your Honor, this is additional evidence to support my client’s claims."

The judge looked at the notebook briefly before handing it to the clerk. "This evidence will be considered."

Julian’s jaw tensed, his usual composure beginning to crack. For the first time, the courtroom felt like it was slipping out of his control.

Mr. Anders cleared his throat before speaking, "Your Honor, we can’t ignore the possibility that this notebook was fabricated."

Maria, "Your Honor, I wrote the notebook as soon as I witnessed each incident in detail. If I forged it, how could some of the ink have faded? If necessary, I am willing to submit the notebook for forensic analysis to prove its authenticity."

Charlotte couldn’t help but feel touched that Maria would go to such lengths to defend her. She didn’t even know that Maria had made the notebook for her.

The Judge, "That will be considered. Mr. Anders, unless you have tangible evidence of fabrication, I suggest we continue with the testimony for now."

Anders adjusted his tie, looking a little frustrated. "Very well, Your Honor."

Victor gestured for Maria to continue. "Maria, can you describe a specific incident you witnessed in detail?"

Maria nodded solemnly. "I remember one night when Mr. Warren came home late. He brought home a young woman, a human woman I suppose. They both reeked of alcohol and made love in the living room."

"Mrs. Dawson heard their voices and came out of her room. She told the young woman to leave immediately, but Mr. Warren threw a vase over her head instead."

Julian had made a habit of bringing random women into their home, but that night Charlotte was fed up with his infidelity. She simply asked them to make love outside, find a hotel, or whatever, so she didn’t have to witness her husband’s disgusting behavior.

But Julian was furious. He shouted at her and then threw a flower vase and a glass at her head.

Maria’s voice trembled slightly as she continued, "The vase hit her head and she collapsed on the floor, bleeding. I tried to intervene, but Mr. Warren told me to leave the room. He said if I stayed, I’d suffer the same fate.

The courtroom was eerily silent, Maria’s words causing hatred to grow in everyone’s heart, especially Damon’s.

Victor asked, "Maria, did you see what happened after Mrs. Dawson was hurt?"

Maria nodded. "Yes. Mr. Warren dragged her back into her bedroom while she was still bleeding. I tried to call for help but the house phone had been disconnected and my cell phone had been confiscated earlier that week."

Victor turned to the judge. "Your Honor, this testimony is crucial. It shows not only Mr. Warren’s physical abuse but also the control and isolation he imposed on Mrs. Dawson and the household staff."

Mr. Anders immediately said, "Your Honor, I object. This testimony is hearsay and lacks corroborative evidence."

"What evidence do you need again?" Victor started to lose his patience. "A woman had been abused for five years by her husband and how dare you call her a liar when the evidence is in front of your eyes?"

The judge interrupted, "Mr. Hale, please do not let emotion guide your argument. This court values facts and evidence above all else."

Victor took a deep breath and adjusted his tone. "My apologies, Your Honor." He glanced at Charlotte briefly before continuing, "But it’s incredibly frustrating to see a victim’s suffering questioned when we’ve provided testimony and evidence that perfectly matches her claims."

The judge considered his words, then took his gavel. "Because there is new evidence that needs to be thoroughly reviewed, the trial of Mrs. Dawson and Mr. Warren will be adjourned to allow both parties adequate time to analyze the submissions and prepare their arguments."

He glanced between Victor and Mr. Anders. "Both attorneys will submit their written responses to the new evidence within five business days. We will reconvene next Friday at 9:00 a.m. to continue the proceedings."