Chapter 18 - The Courtroom
The courtroom was packed to absolute capacity. Reporters filled the gallery, their pens poised over their notebooks. The heavy wooden doors opened, and a hush fell over the room as Olivia walked down the center aisle.
She took the witness stand, swearing on the Bible to tell the whole truth.
Across the room, sitting at the defense table, Vanessa Harrington glared at her. Vanessa looked haggard, having spent the last eight months in a county jail cell after being denied bail. The emerald gowns were gone, replaced by a drab, oversized prison uniform. But the hatred in her eyes remained exactly the same.
The prosecutor walked to the podium.
"Olivia, can you tell the court exactly what happened on the night of the engagement party?"
For the next hour, Olivia recounted the entire nightmare. She spoke clearly and calmly, never once breaking eye contact with the jury. She detailed the threats, the financial fraud her husband had discovered, and the terrifying descent of Vanessa down the grand staircase.
"She shoved me with both hands," Olivia stated, her voice echoing in the silent room. "She knew exactly what she was doing."
The defense attorney stood up, trying to rattle her. "Isn't it true, Olivia, that you lost your footing? That you were wearing high heels and simply slipped during a heated argument?"
"No," Olivia replied firmly. "She pushed me."
The prosecutor approached the judge. "Your Honor, the prosecution would like to submit Exhibit C into evidence. The audio recording from the wire worn by the victim."
Vanessa’s face went completely white. She hadn't known about the wire.
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The audio played through the courtroom speakers. The jury heard Vanessa’s unhinged screams, the terrifying thud of the physical shove, and the horrifying sound of Olivia tumbling down the stairs.
The defense attorney slowly sat down, realizing his case had just been completely, entirely annihilated.
