They Poisoned My Father, So I Bankrupted Their Billion-Dollar Empire

Chapter 26: The Trial Begins

The Federal Courthouse was a fortress of marble and stone. Inside, the gallery was packed. Reporters, victims' families, and OmniCore shareholders filled every seat.

Jack sat at the plaintiff's table, wearing a suit Elena had bought him. It felt tight across his shoulders, but he held his head high.

"All rise," the bailiff announced.

Judge Harrison, a stern woman with a reputation for maximizing punitive damages, took the bench.

"Is the defense ready?" Judge Harrison asked.

The OmniCore table was full of lawyers, but one chair was conspicuously empty. The center chair.

Sterling, the lead defense attorney, stood up. He looked pale. He wiped sweat from his upper lip.

"Your Honor," Sterling stammered. "My client, Mr. Marcus Thorne... is not present."

A murmur rippled through the courtroom.

"Not present?" Judge Harrison raised an eyebrow. "Is he ill?"

"We... we are unable to locate him, Your Honor," Sterling admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

Jack turned to Elena. "He ran."