Married to the Billionaire Who Betrayed Me novel Chapter 257

Chapter 257-1 Surrender To The Senate

The marshals stop. They hesitate. They feel the danger rolling off his frame. They recognize a man willing to kill. They look at Sterling, waiting for confirmation.

I rest my hand on Tristan’s arm. He holds his ground The muscles under his suit jacket feel like carved stone.

I look at the Committee Chairman. I project my voice. I do not use a microphone. The acoustics of the chamber carry my words to the back row.

“I am not a fugitive, Mr. Chairman,” I state. My voice holds the cold edge of a blade. “I surrender myself to the jurisdiction of this committee. I am present

to answer the charges.”

The Committee Chairman blinks. He looks pt Sterling. He looks at me. The disruption of protocol baffles him.

“Prosecutor Sterling,” the Chairman says. “The defendant is present in the chamber.”

“She is a flight risk,” Sterling argues. His voice pitches high. He grips the edges of his podium. “She orchestrated a cyber-attack against the federal government. She requires a holding cell. She does not deserve a seat at this table.”

“I stand before you,” I counter. I keep my eyes locked on the Committee Chairman. “I offer no resistance. You called a special session to present evidence

against me. Present it. Let the cameras record the truth.”

“This is a mockery of justice!” Sterling shouts.

Senator Vance leans into his microphone on the elevated bench. His voice trembles. He wants this spectacle to end. He wants to save his own skin.

“Prosecutor Sterling,” Vance says. “The defendant surrendered. We cannot arrest a willing participant on live television without reviewing the charges.

Proceed with the hearing.”

Sterling stares at Vance. The betrayal registers in the prosecutor’s eyes. The corrupt machine turns on its operator. Sterling realizes his political backers

abandon him. They prioritize their survival over his vendetta.

Sterling looks around the massive chamber. He realizes he lost control of the room. He lost control of the narrative. The cameras record his panic. The world

watches his trap fall apart.

“Proceed with the hearing, Prosecutor,” the Committee Chairman echoes. He bangs the gavel once. “The marshals will stand down. The defendant will take her seat.’

The room falls quiet. The reporters wait for my response. The cameras focus on my face.

The Committee Chairman looks down at the defense table.

“Ms. Hayes, the Chairman says. “You surrendered to this chamber. Do you possess a legal representative? Do you wish to offer a defense against these charges?

click the left metal clasp of the briefcase. The sharp snap echoes in the silent room.

“I do not possess a lawyer, Mr. Chairman,” I answer. I keep my eyes locked on Sterling. “I do not require a defense.”

I click the right metal clasp.

“Prosecutor Sterling claims I forged a ledger,’ I continue. My voice rings clear and steady. “He claims I hid dark money. He builds a case on a foundation of lies.”

I open the lid of the briefcase. I pull out a thick stack of printed documents/The physical copies of the decrypted Geneva files.

‘I did not bring a defense,’ I state. I place the documents on the polished wood. I stand up from the leather chair. “I brought the truth. And the truth requires an execution.”