Chapter 10 - The Bail Hearing Shock
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The following morning, Marcus and his legal team arrived at the central county courthouse for Victoria’s bail hearing. Elena remained at the estate under heavy guard, watching the live news coverage on the living room television.
Inside the crowded courtroom, Victoria sat at the defense table wearing an orange prison jumpsuit. She looked pale and frail, leaning dramatically against her attorney, Mr. Abernathy, as if she could barely stand.
"Your Honor," Mr. Abernathy announced to the judge, holding up a stack of medical reports. "My client is suffering from severe cardiac distress and acute nervous exhaustion caused by the postpartum trauma of her recent birth. Continuing to hold her in a county detention facility poses a direct threat to her life."
Marcus stood up from the gallery, his prosecutor leaning over to object. "Your Honor, the prosecution objects! Mrs. Vance showed no signs of illness when she was arrested for attempted assault and multi-million-dollar fraud!"
"Order in the court!" Judge Higgins barked, slamming his wooden gavel onto the desk.
The judge adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses, reviewing the medical records handed to him by Victoria’s legal team. What Marcus didn't know was that Judge Higgins was an old college classmate of Julian Carter—a man whose political campaign had been funded by Carter Global Logistics.
"In light of the medical documentation provided by accredited specialists," Judge Higgins ruled coldly, "I am granting temporary medical bail to Victoria Vance under the condition of home confinement at her father’s estate, set at two million dollars."
Gavel slam!
Marcus’s jaw tightened in disbelief as Victoria slowly turned around toward him, a subtle, cold smile flashing across her face before she quickly resumed her helpless, tearful expression for the news cameras.
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Back at the mansion, Elena watched Victoria step out of the courthouse doors on the television screen, surrounded by dark-suited bodyguards and her father Julian.
The nightmare was far from over. Victoria was free.
