Page 11 of Hooked on Mack (Hooked #7)
Mack
“Your Honor, I'd like to present a piece of information about Mr. Kennsington that has not yet been disclosed.” My heart raced as I made the decision to reveal this crucial detail. I knew it could be risky, but it was the only way to counter Larissa's relentless assault.
“Very well,” Judge Phillips said, nodding his approval. “Proceed, Mr. Harrington.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Taking another deep breath, I looked straight at Larissa, trying to gauge her reaction. “During our investigation, we discovered that Mr. Kennsington has a son from a previous relationship—a son he has never acknowledged or supported financially.”
Larissa raised an eyebrow, her green eyes narrowing in suspicion. “And what does that have to do with the current case, Mr. Harrington?”
“Everything, Ms. Montgomery,” I replied emphatically.
“You see, the existence of Mr. Kennsington's son directly contradicts his claims of being a devoted family man. This new information is relevant to our case as it demonstrates that Mr. Kennsington has made a habit of withholding important facts and evading responsibilities.”
“Objection!” Larissa shot back, her voice sharp and filled with venom. “This information is irrelevant to the current case and serves only to tarnish my client's reputation!”
“Overruled,” Judge Phillips responded firmly. “The information is relevant. Continue, Mr. Harrington.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” I could feel a surge of confidence coursing through me as I looked over at Larissa. For the first time since this trial had begun, she seemed genuinely rattled.
“Mr. Kennsington's refusal to acknowledge or support his own son,” I continued, “demonstrates a pattern of behavior that we believe extends to his current situation. It is our contention that he deliberately concealed assets during the divorce proceedings in order to avoid splitting them fairly with his ex-wife.”
Larissa clenched her jaw, clearly struggling to maintain her composure. But I wasn't about to let her off the hook.
“Your Honor, we request that the court consider this new information when determining the division of assets between Mr. Kennsington and his wife.”
As I sat down, I stole a glance at Larissa. She was glaring at me with an intensity that could have melted steel, but I could tell that her confidence had been shaken. And as much as I knew I shouldn't enjoy it, there was a part of me that reveled in this small victory against my fierce opponent.
The room fell silent as if someone had flicked a switch, cutting off all noise. The sound of shuffling papers ceased, pens stopped tapping, and even the ventilation seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
“Ms. Montgomery?” the judge's voice broke the silence, though it was quiet and hesitant, as if she too was caught in the spell of the moment.
Larissa stared at me, her piercing green eyes narrowing.
It felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, waiting for the ground beneath you to give way.
But then, she straightened up, an icy smile spreading across her face.
“Your Honor,” she began, her voice deceptively sweet, “I must commend Mr. Mack on his theatrics. They certainly make for a dramatic courtroom.”
She paused, the smile never leaving her face, but her gaze only grew colder. “However, it is unfortunate that my esteemed colleague has chosen to use this stage to introduce unsubstantiated claims instead of following proper procedures.”
As Larissa spoke, I could feel the air in the room grow tense, the electricity crackling between us like static. The spectators leaned in, eagerly anticipating the next move in this high-stakes game of chess.
“Ms. Montgomery, are you implying that Mr. Mack's claims are baseless?” the judge asked, his patience clearly wearing thin.
“Of course not, Your Honor,” she replied, feigning innocence. “I simply find it curious that this information is being brought to light now, in such a public manner, rather than during discovery, as protocol dictates.”
Her words were like daggers aimed straight at me, and I couldn't help but wince as they found their mark. She was right—I should have brought this up sooner. But I had wanted to catch her off guard, to see her facade crack, even if just for a moment.
“Your Honor,” I interjected, trying to regain control of the narrative, “I apologize if my actions seem unorthodox. But given the gravity of this new evidence and its implications on the case, I felt it was crucial to bring it to light as soon as possible.”
“Mack,” Larissa cut in, her tone dripping with scorn, “your flair for the dramatic is truly commendable. But perhaps you should focus less on making a scene and more on doing your job—by the book.”
Her words stung, but they also ignited a spark within me. I couldn't let her win, not like this. I had to fight back, even if it meant playing by her rules. As the room held its breath, I prepared for the next round in our battle of wits, knowing that the stakes had never been higher.