Chapter 5 - The Denial
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Gabriel scrambled to his feet, his hands raised in a desperate, pathetic gesture of surrender.
“Your Honor, that audio is doctored!” Gabriel shouted, his voice cracking with panic. “Clara fabricated that! She’s trying to frame me to steal my business! It’s AI-generated! It’s fake!”
“Mr. Linwood, you are currently being restrained by two bailiffs. I suggest you close your mouth before you dig this hole any deeper,” Judge Holloway said, her voice dropping into a lethal, quiet register.
“It’s the truth!” Gabriel yelled, pointing a shaking finger at Clara. “She’s a manipulative, hysterical woman! She coached the kid to say this!”
Samantha Drake suddenly stood up, pushing her chair back violently. Her instinct for self-preservation kicked into overdrive. She looked at Gabriel, realizing the ship was sinking rapidly, and she was determined not to drown with him.
“I had nothing to do with this!” Samantha shrieked, backing away from the defendant’s table. “He told me it was just vitamins! He told me he was giving her supplements! I didn’t know he was trying to poison her!”
“Shut up, Samantha!” Gabriel roared, turning on his mistress. “You bought the pills online using your own credit card! I have the receipts!”
The courtroom erupted into absolute chaos. Clara’s attorney stepped protectively in front of her, shielding her and Violet from the madness unfolding across the aisle.
“Bailiff!” Judge Holloway bellowed, slamming her gavel down with terrifying force. “Arrest them both. Right now.”
The bailiffs moved instantly. They grabbed Gabriel’s arms, twisting them forcefully behind his back, and snapped heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists. He struggled, cursing loudly, his polished, wealthy exterior completely shattered.
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Two other officers converged on Samantha, who was sobbing hysterically, screaming that she was a victim and begging for a lawyer. The clicking sound of the handcuffs echoing in the large room felt like the most beautiful music Clara had ever heard.
“Mrs. Linwood’s petition for a rapid, uncontested divorce is hereby suspended,” Judge Holloway announced, glaring down at the restrained couple. “This is no longer a civil family court matter. This is an attempted homicide investigation.”
