Chapter 541 The First Trial (1) Alaric Defamed
Cecilia had worked all day.
She thought, 'How long has it been since I last worked because of Alaric?'
Cecilia stretched and was about to head out when Theodore walked in.
She looked up and said, "Hey, Dad."
"Why'd you suddenly decide to come to work?" Theodore asked warmly. "I've already handed most of your tasks over to Pierce. You should focus on Alaric's case."
Cecilia gave a small smile. "Dad, don't you have any doubts about Alaric? You're still backing me up to help him? Aren't you worried that if he's guilty, it could really hurt the Lockhart Group?"
"I trust Alaric," Theodore said firmly. "But more importantly, I trust your judgment."
Basically, as long as she believed in it, he had her back.
Cecilia felt a warm glow inside.
Having her family's support felt amazing.
She couldn't help but hug Theodore. "Thanks, Dad."
By helping Alaric with his lawsuit, she was going head-to-head with the Monroe family.
The fact that Theodore was still letting her do this showed how much he loved her.
One wrong move could bring trouble his way.
It was clear Theodore doted on Cecilia endlessly.
Cecilia stayed in Theodore's arms for a bit and then asked, "How's Grandma doing?"
Juliana's death had left Ophelia pretty sad.
Ophelia had had her issues with Juliana. It wasn't too bad when Juliana was alive, but now that she was gone, Ophelia felt a ton of guilt for the things she'd said. Word was she'd been crying a lot, unable to shake off the grief.
Theodore said, "Your grandma's old and sometimes struggles to understand things. There's not much we can do. After this is over, your mom and I will take her out to relax. Only time can help her heal."
"I get it," Cecilia said, not wanting to say much more.
She didn't have deep feelings for Ophelia.
If it weren't for Theodore, she wouldn't have been so lenient with her.
They chatted a bit more until Cecilia's phone rang.
Theodore knew she had a lot on her plate, so he gave a few reminders and left.
Cecilia answered Cassius's call. "What's up?"
"Yeah, Lyra's definitely pregnant," Cassius said.
After getting back to Serenovia City, Cecilia and Cassius started dividing their tasks.
To wreck Lyra and Dominic's marriage, they had to go straight to the source.
Hearing Cassius's words, Cecilia's eyes narrowed.
She had to give it to Dominic for planning everything so perfectly.
Knowing he might lose it all, he created a huge shield for himself.
"Okay, got it," Cecilia replied. "Keep an eye on Lyra. I need to find a way to meet her alone."
"No problem," Cassius agreed quickly. "My dad just found out through internal channels that Alaric's trial is set for next Monday, so we have four days. You should get the court notice soon."
"Just stick to our plan for the trial," Cecilia said bluntly. "A case as big as Alaric's won't be settled in one go. In the first trial, we just need to drag Dominic into it."
"Got it," Cassius replied.
They didn't waste any more time and hung up.
Cecilia sat back in her office chair, ready to leave, but suddenly felt like staying put.
Next Monday, she'd see Alaric.
How was he holding up?
She bit her lip.
Her phone rang again, and she answered.
"I heard you went back to work. What? Giving up? Not planning to appeal for Alaric anymore? Not coming to frame me? You haven't even gone to court yet, and you're already throwing in the towel? Your feelings for Alaric must be pretty shallow!" Dominic's mocking voice came through.
Cecilia didn't want to get tangled up with Dominic.
But she needed to put on a show for him. "My feelings for Alaric are my business. Why do you care? Still got feelings for me?"
"Cecilia, can you be any more shameless?" Dominic sneered. "Lyra is a thousand times better than you. Do you really think I'm still interested in you?"
"If she's really a thousand times better, you wouldn't be so hung up on me."
"Hung up on you? Are you out of your mind?"
"Then why do you keep calling just to mock me? When did you get so much free time?"
"I just love seeing you miserable."
"You have such a twisted hobby," Cecilia mocked coldly.
"You're smart, Cecilia. Giving up on Alaric is the right move," Dominic said, completely smug. "Alaric is done for this time. Letting go sooner is the best way to protect the Lockhart family!"
Cecilia gripped her phone tightly.
She realized this was Dominic's real intention.
He wanted to see if she had given up on Alaric's case.
Cecilia hung up on him.
Silence was the best way to drive Dominic crazy without making him suspicious.
Her current behavior was to make Dominic, and everyone else, think she had given up on Alaric.
On Monday morning, Serenovia City was buzzing with the news: Alaric's trial was starting today.
For a high-profile figure in Serenovia City, it naturally drew a lot of attention.
At 10 a.m., when Cecilia, Cassius, and Augustus arrived at the courthouse, a swarm of reporters was already blocking the entrance.
As soon as they got out of the car, they were surrounded. The reporters' questions came flying.
"Ms. Lockhart, what do you think about your husband Alaric's embezzlement and rape case?"
"With the Whitaker family's immense wealth, why would Alaric embezzle those millions of dollars?"
"Can you comment on Alaric raping your sister and driving her to suicide?"
"To outsiders, you and Alaric seem to have a great relationship. Is it all for show? Some say your marriage is fake. Is that true?"
"Alaric had numerous women before marriage and no moral bottom line after marriage. Does that break your heart?"
Each question was more unpleasant than the last, making Cecilia's face darken. She was truly furious about Alaric being slandered like this.
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