Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 117

Tricked

Chapter 117

Sasha’s POV

Nothing is working, or has gone to plan. Now Joyce is trying to pin this all on me. She’s trying to wiggle out by gaining sympathy because he husband left her. Well, that’s not going to happen. I knew exactly how to set her off, and it was far too easy. I wouldn’t actually have gone through with it. He’s okay looking, but he’s old, and it wouldn’t be worth it. I just wanted to remind the jury of who she was. A reminder of what they saw in the videos this morning, and it was worth it. Right up until this b***h of a judge got involved.

It’s obvious that the judge can’t stand me. Because I took a shot. What? Do they think that I’m just going to sit here and accept my fate? I’m going to fight like hell to get out of whatever charges I can. The judge appears to have a personal vendetta against me. She’s watching me like a hawk watches their prey.

But if I can get rid of one judge, I can eliminate another. She had better calm down, or else she will be facing the same fate as her predecessor. It doesn’t matter if the allegations are true or not. That’s for them to disprove, not me. All I have to do is accuse them. What I hate the most is that the jury is now watching me closely. As if I were some sort of criminal. All I’ve done is get other people to do the dirty work. There’s nothing connecting me to any of it, even the design award. That was Jerrod, not me.

The jury heard what the judge said about my expressions changing. I already know that when Joshua gives his testimony, they’ll be watching me. I’m trying to stay calm. I’m not just going to give them what they want. I don’t care what Joshua says; I won’t react. He was a means to an end, and it didn’t work out. What evidence could they have?

The monitor changed, and I saw him sitting there. A court clerk was near him, and he was sworn in quickly. He just sat there, looking into the camera. The jury recognized him, and all looked at me, like the allegations were true. But they’re going to have to prove them first. No matter what anyone says, I’m not admitting to anything. It’s his word against mine, and he’s the one who was on the jury and broke the law, not me.

“Can you give us your name and occupation?” Ana’s attorney started out.

“Joshua Greggs, I’m a digital creator. I create videos that show people how to make videos and increase their brand and followers. This includes how to do a podcast and blogs. I also help draft ideas for people on a one–on–one basis,” he replied.

“Mr. Greggs, I know you recorded a formal statement for us, concerning what happened

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between you and Sasha Cook. I wanted to conduct this video call, as you may not have been aware of the recent developments, given that you were removed from the jury. I think that with finding out this additional information, you might be more forthcoming with us,” her attorney stated.

“I was allowed to see what happened in the second half of the trial yesterday, as well as what happened up to the lunch break today,” Joshua replied.

“Then you aren’t aware that Sasha Cook attempted to flee New York after purchasing a ticket to Miami?” her attorney mentioned. s**t, this isn’t going to be good.

The shock on Jousha’s face showed that he didn’t believe the words that the attorney spoke. He was quick to argue the point, “No, that’s not true. She is going to wait for me to get out. That was the plan. If I got caught, she told me to lie low, and she would get me an attorney to get me out of trouble. She wouldn’t just leave me. She cares for me. She needs my help. I don’t believe you,” he cried out.

“Do you have the new footage we sent you?” her attorney asked.

A bailiff stepped forward and nodded. We watched as he watched me being led back into the courtroom by the two state troopers. I was screwed. I’d told him that we would win, and that we were in it together. I had to say that; it was what he wanted to hear. It was why he agreed to help me. How else was I going to get him to do what I needed him to? Collusion is a serious charge. He didn’t want to do it. I had to persuade him to do it. I cried and let him know how much I needed him.

It wasn’t

my fault that he fell for it. He was aware of the risks involved, and he decided it was worth taking them. He wanted to be with me, he offered to take care of me and the baby. He was easy to manipulate, but I can see how pissed off he was now. He’s not going to let this

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He is furious, and the ticket had already been added to the evidence. He could see it all. He could see I was there, at the gate. I was about to leave him behind to face the charges alone. I could tell exactly when his opinioned changed; he was going to turn on me. His mouth thinned out, and his eyes went hard. Great, what else can go wrong?

“I would like to revise my statement at this time. I lied, trying to protect a woman I thought was my girlfriend. I had mentioned to her that I was on the jury and that I supported her. The next thing I knew, she was texting me back. I was surprised. I had seen her in the viral videos. She was such a beautiful woman. I was so surprised she even gave me the time of day. She waited two days before we met in person. She didn’t want to get me in trouble by being seen with her. We were careful. She told me how her ex–husband treated her. How he turned his back on her when she needed him most. I felt so bad for her. That is why I told her I would help her raise her baby,” Joshua replied.

He’s going to destroy everything. I wrote on my notebook and slid it in front of William, but he

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just shook his head. Why isn’t he defending me? How could he let this guy keep speaking? Doesn’t he know that he could derail everything? It’s like he doesn’t even care. I realized I was panicking and focused on keeping my face neutral. If I don’t admit it, it will be my

word against his.

“And you believed her? Sasha Cook said she wanted to be with you and raise her child. together,” her attorney asked.

“Yes, she told me I was the only person that she could depend on. She said Roger had turned his back on her, and she had no one else to turn to for help. She told me that he refused to claim her child as his own and had forced her into accepting the divorce. She cried as she told me her story. She said she still loved him and that she didn’t want to get a divorce. She was crying and upset, and I was just trying to calm her down. The next thing I knew, we were having s*x. I believed her when she said that she wanted us to be together. I was such a fool, I can see that now, as I can;t believe that I fell for it. I thought she needed me. I won’t help her again, I’m done,” Joshua said.

“So you feel like she used you?” her attorney asked.

“I never intended to sleep with her when we met. I just thought that she actually wanted to be with me. I allowed myself to be drawn in, as she is very convincing. I believed that the designs were hers, and I wanted to help her get them back. That was all. I thought I was helping to rectify the situation. I believed Sasha when she said that because Ana was rich, she would eventually lose her designs. I didn’t mean Ana any harm; I didn’t even know her. But I felt like Sasha was right. If I hadn’t helped Sasha, those designs would have been lost to her forever. That was all I was supposed to do is get everyone to agree to give her the designs. Then, the night before the trial started, Sasha called me. She said I had to help Regina and Joyce out as well. I guess I went too far arguing Regina’s side of things. The next thing I knew, I was being handcuffed,” Joshua answered.

“So, you felt you were trying to help someone in need? Someone who you thought cared about you?” Ana’s attorney asked sympathetically.

“Yes, I thought I was helping the underdog. I watched all the viral videos several times. Ana never said they were her designs. She never argued with Sasha about them. She just told them to stop and leave. I thought it was an admission of guilt. I thought that she was mad at being replaced, and took them as she was leaving. It made sense for her to do that. You know how things go in the world. The powerful, that is, the rich, can do anything to anyone. But if you’re poor or in the middle class, your hands are tied. I thought I was helping the victim. I thought I was doing the right thing. You know, helping the little guy. I never went into this with the intention of breaking the law. I’ve never even gotten so much as a speeding ticket in my life before. I should have reported her contacting me, but she was just so pretty,” Joshua replied.

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“You’re not the first person that’s happened to, and you won’t be the last. She saw a young man who was enthralled with her. She took a chance on using you to get out of this. Then left you holding the bag. I’ve been doing this a long time, Mr. Greggs. I believe she’s going to claim that she never asked you to do anything to help her, and that you acted completely on your own. That she just needed a friend, a shoulder to cry on,” her attorney responded.

Her attorney knew exactly what I was planning to do, and it was the only argument that I had in all this. My mind was all over the place as I tried to come up with another reason I could have had to meet him. I couldn’t think of another one. I will have to deny everything. It’s not like he can prove that we ever met. I’ll just put on a sad expression and try to look as upset as possible. Just because her attorney trapped me in a corner doesn’t mean that all is lost. When I’m cornered, I come out fighting.

“Mr. Greggs, do you have any proof of what you’ve told us?” her attorney asked.

No, he doesn’t. I told him to delete the conversations and calls between us. There’s no way he can prove anything right?

“I do. As I said, I never thought things would go this far. I thought she just needed a shoulder to cry on. I recorded our meeting together to save it as a memory for us. Only I got a lot more than I originally planned,” Joshua answered.

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