Page 102 of Cause and Effect

“Mom is going to love it.” Stella grinned.

“You think so?”

“We know so,” Sara said.

“You heard the little ladies, Ronald. We’ll take this one.”

“Excellent decision, Mr. Hamilton. I’ll get this ring cleaned and boxed up for you.”

“Now, remember. Not a word to your mom about this.”

“We won’t say anything. We promise, right?” Stella looked at her sisters.

“Nope. We won’t spoil the surprise. But we do need new iPads,” Sara said.

My brow raised as I stared at her. “Are you saying that you'll ruin the surprise if I don’t buy you new iPads?”

“Well, we can’t guarantee something might not slip out of our mouths,” Sophie said.

“But you all just promised me?” I cocked my head.

“That was before we remembered we needed new iPads.” Stella grinned.

I couldn’t help but smile as I stared at the three of them. They were so innocent but occasionally displayed an evil streak.

“Fine. I’ll take you to the Apple store after we leave and buy you new iPads. But if your mom asks why I did that, you three better come up with something good.”

“We will, Julian.” Sara threw her arms around me.

Chapter Forty

ONE WEEK LATER

Laurel

“Ms. Evans, that’s enough,” Judge McCray banged his gavel and shouted.

“No, Your Honor.” I turned and faced him. “This witness is lying under oath! How can you not see that? You have been sustaining the ADA’s objections when you should have overruled them. Have you forgotten how the law works, Your Honor?”

“How dare you, Ms. Evans.”

“It’s the truth, and you know it!” I pointed at him.

“You need to cool off. I’m holding you in contempt, and you’ll spend the night in a cell to think about your actions. Bailiff, get her out of here. The trial will resume Monday morning.”

“Fine by me,” I said.

“Do you want to make it two nights, Ms. Evans?”

“No, Your Honor.”

I flinched when the steel door closed and locked.

“Enjoy your stay, counselor,” the guard said withamusement. "Judge McCray said you can rejoin the land of the free when you're ready to apologize.”

“Over my dead body,” I mumbled.

I ran my hand down my skirt and sat on the hard bench. Sometimes, the truth demanded uncomfortable persistence. I was already on thin ice with him but didn’t care. I would prove that the witness was lying after I got out of here and dismantle the prosector’s entire case against my client.

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