Court IV

Back in the courthouse, Godfrey Baldwin, the former legal counsel for Cassius Blackwell, remained seated on the witness stand. His posture was impeccable, his hands steady, and his voice unwavering as he recounted the history of the Blackwell family's succession plans.

"The will you refer to, the one in question... It was made about a year ago, shortly before Cassius Blackwell passed away," Godfrey began, his voice confident and measured. "But before that, there were two other wills."

The courtroom seemed to hold its breath, the weight of his words drawing everyone in.

"The second will," Godfrey continued, "was created ten years ago, where Cassius Blackwell left half of Blackwell Investments to both of his children—Alexander Blackwell and Stephanie Riverplate."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the courtroom, but Godfrey's calm demeanor and raised hand quickly restored silence.

"However, the first will," he added, "was made thirty-one years ago, on the day Alexander was born. In it, Cassius left the entirety of Blackwell Investments to Alexander, with no provisions for Stephanie, who was then just three years old."

The murmurs returned, this time louder. Whispers of disbelief coursed through the room like a rising tide, only quelled by Judge Patterson's sharp gavel strike.

Gregory Baldwin, representing Stephanie Riverplate, rose from his seat. Adjusting his tie, he addressed Godfrey with a pointed question.

"Thank you, Mr. Baldwin," Gregory said smoothly, his tone tinged with calculated incredulity. "You've just clarified the timeline of these wills. But I must ask: the rationale behind the initial allocation—what qualifications did Alexander Blackwell possess as a newborn to warrant receiving Ninety six percent of the company's shares? And more importantly, what disqualified my client at the tender age of three?"

He paused for effect, scanning the room. "The answer is simple, your Honor: sexism. The will's provisions were based on outdated, discriminatory notions about gender, and it's this blatant injustice that brings us here today. By law, a will cannot stand if it's rooted in prejudice. This is a textbook example of a will that must be disqualified."

Gregory's sharp words stirred the room into another round of hushed whispers. Judge Patterson raised his gavel but allowed the murmurs to subside naturally before speaking.

Harvey Lancaster, Alexander Blackwell's lead counsel, stood, his expression calm but resolute.

"Your Honor," Harvey said, "I request permission to speak privately with the witness."

The judge considered for a moment before nodding. "Proceed."

Harvey approached the stand with purposeful steps. His voice lowered, yet it carried a firmness that commanded attention.

"Mr. Baldwin, regarding the second will—if Cassius Blackwell was the sexist individual Mr. Baldwin suggests, why did he amend his original will ten years ago to divide his shares equally between both children?"

Gregory immediately rose to his feet. "Objection, your Honor! Counsel is leading the witness and introducing irrelevant conjecture."

Harvey turned to the judge. "Your Honor, this line of questioning is pertinent. It seeks to establish a pattern—or lack thereof—in Cassius Blackwell's decisions."

Judge Patterson hesitated, then nodded. "Overruled. The witness may answer."

Godfrey adjusted his glasses and replied, his voice steady. "Cassius Blackwell called me one day and instructed me to amend his will to make both Alexander and Stephanie heirs."

Harvey pressed on, his tone probing but respectful. "And did he provide a reason for this sudden change?"

Godfrey paused, his brow furrowing slightly. "Not directly. However, I did notice that this decision coincided with Stephanie's graduation from Harvard Business School."

Gregory rose again, his voice sharp. "Objection, your Honor! Speculation."

Judge Patterson considered briefly before responding. "Sustained. Mr. Lancaster, please refrain from leading the witness into speculative territory."

Harvey nodded. "Understood, your Honor." He turned back to Godfrey. "One final question, Mr. Baldwin: Regarding the third and most recent will, did Cassius Blackwell provide any reasoning when he decided to leave the entirety of his shares to Alexander once again? and using the second will as prove is it because he saw that Alexander was the more capable?"

Gregory's objection was immediate. "Your Honor, this line of questioning is irrelevant. The validity of the second will is not in dispute; the third will is what's being challenged."

Judge Patterson struck the gavel. "Sustained. Mr. Lancaster, move on."

Harvey straightened his tie and addressed the court. "Your Honor, I simply intended to highlight that while the initial allocation may raise questions, the second will demonstrates that Cassius Blackwell was not inherently biased. By the time he drafted the third will, it's reasonable to infer that he had observed Alexander's capabilities as CEO and believed he was best suited to lead Blackwell Investments and preserve the family legacy."

Harvey returned to his seat. "No further questions, your Honor."

Godfrey began to step down but suddenly paused, gripping the edge of the witness stand. He turned back to face the judge, his expression somber yet resolute.

"Your Honor," he said, his voice quieter but no less impactful, "I have always supported and followed the wishes of the late Cassius Blackwell. But on this matter, I cannot. His son, Alexander Blackwell, is…the same as his father."

The room buzzed with confusion and intrigue. Godfrey's green eyes locked with Judge Patterson's as he added, "You should know what that means. The world already knows who Cassius Blackwell was—a man who prioritized profit over people, who cared little for society. By sharing this fortune, by giving some of it to his more compassionate sister, Stephanie could help repair the damage her father caused."

Harvey sprang to his feet. "Objection, your Honor! This testimony is irrelevant and highly prejudicial."

Judge Patterson struck the gavel, silencing the room. "Sustained. Mr. Baldwin, your comments are not pertinent to this case. You may step down."

Godfrey nodded and left the stand, walking with purpose back to the audience. He took a seat directly behind Stephanie, his presence a quiet but powerful gesture of support.

Harvey rose once more, his voice calm yet firm. "Your Honor, the defense would like to call its next witness: Stephanie Riverplate."

Stephanie's eyes widened slightly as she rose from her seat. Walking to the stand with measured grace, she swore the oath on the Bible and took her seat. Harvey approached her with a small, almost imperceptible smile.

"So..." he began, his tone inviting yet enigmatic.