Page 125 of Forgotten Prejudice

“N-No,” Ashton said quietly.

“So, mind telling us where you got the money from?”

“My uncle left it for me, as well as the house.” He sounded so embarrassed, even though he had nothing to be ashamed of. Getting money from a relative was absolutely legitimate. Not to mention, he used that money for a good cause.

“In fact, before living off your uncle’s money, you lived on the account of your boyfriend of eight years. Is that correct?”

“Objection!” I jumped to my feet just as Ashton’s gaze locked with mine. Seeing the fear behind his gentle eyes shocked me, so much so that I momentarily blacked out. Still stunned by my reaction, I forgot to answer the judge.

“Counselor,” she said for the second time, and I was finally able to look away from Ashton. “On what grounds?” She sounded impatient.

“Character evidence.”

“Denied.”

I sat back down, feeling like a total failure while being forced to hear the rest of Jones’s ridiculous arguments.

“Let’s get this straight. Before living off of your uncle’s money, you lived on your ex’s. Who just so happens to be one of the attorneys representing the defendant. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“And if I am not mistaken, Mr. Dane is seven years older?”

Ashton glanced at me, desperation in his eyes.

“I’m afraid Mr. Dane can’t help you right now,” Jones cut in, scaring Ashton even more. “So please answer the question.”

“Yes.”

“So would you agree that you’re fond of older men?”

Ashton’s cheeks flushed red, and he looked down at his shoes.

“No.”

“Could you comfortably agree that Mr. Dane was much wealthier than you?”

“Y-Yes.”

“So a rich boyfriend, a rich uncle. This pattern makes me believe you’ve never worked hard to achieve any of the things you have.”

Ashton shook his head. “That’s not true.”

“How so? You’ve been given gifts your whole life.” Ashton had no reply and kept quiet as Jones went on. “Clearly, you are not a good example for four young teens who just got out of juvie. I mean—” Jones turned to face the jury. “—Mr. Sage here has never held a job in his life, graduated with average grades, and has had everything he owns given to him. No wonder Mr. Gómez didn’t do better when that was the example set for him. This connects to Mr. Gómez’s work as a stripper and his numerous affairs with older customers from his previous job at the beach club.”

With each word Jones spoke, Ashton shrank further into himself until he looked impossibly small and fragile on the stand. My entire body screamed to do something, and I wished for this hell to be over with.

“But the kids did do better!” Ashton tried to say, only causing Jones to list all the fights and trouble those four had gotten into just this year alone.

“They got into a fight on their first day of school, and that’s without mentioning the several fights Mr. Gómez had with the victim. Such as an incident in which he reportedly stepped on the victim’s chest while saying, and I quote, ‘Yes, bitch, choke for daddy.’”

Ashton’s face fell before he fumbled with his answer. “All of those incidents were settled in school.”

“And yet, they clearly reflect on Mr. Gómez’s quick temper and your inability to control him.”

“He’s not some beast that needs to be controlled!” Ashton argued, and I swore Camilo tensed beside me. “He’s a good kid who was framed for a crime he didn’t commit.”

Another snort from Jones. “We’ll see about that.” He then turned around and pulled another file from his table. “Lastly, I have a question regarding their school.” He cleared his throat. “They all attended Beverly Bay High after their old school burned down. Is that correct?”