The bailiff relaxed. The courtroom broke into chatter. This was the moment everything changed. The judge had left the room, but the stenographer was still typing, and the cameras in the back were still rolling, though the audio feed to the TV stations was cut for the break. Elena remained at her table, organizing her papers.
She was exhausted. Her hands were shaking. She reached for her water bottle, but it was empty. She stood up to walk to the water cooler near the bailiff station. To get there, she had to pass the plaintiff's table.
As Elena walked by, keeping her head down, Jessica Marlo stood up. "Look at her," Jessica said loudly, ensuring the reporters in the front row could hear. "Walking around in that cheap suit. You look like a librarian who got fired for stealing staples. Richard laughed, checking his phone.
"Babe, don't waste your breath. She's history. Elena stopped. She turned to Jessica. I may have a cheap suit, Jessica, but at least I bought it with my own money.
I didn't have to sleep with a married man to get it. The reporters gasped. Someone in the back shouted, "Ooh! Jessica's face twisted into a mask of pure rage. The sweet victim act evaporated instantly.
She stepped forward, invading Elena's personal space. "You listen to me, you little rat. Jessica hissed, her voice low and venomous. "You think you're clever? You think that old napkin is going to save you?
Richard owns this town. We own the lawyers. We probably bought that judge, too. You are going to end up in a gutter. "Get out of my face," Elena said firmly.
"Make me," Jessica taunted. Elena tried to step around her. As she moved, Jessica stuck out her right leg, shod in a six-inch red-bottomed stiletto heel. It wasn't a trip, it was a kick. Jessica drove the sharp heel into Elena's shin with vicious force.
Crack! The sound of the heel hitting the bone was sickeningly loud in the quiet courtroom. Elena cried out in pain, her leg buckling. She fell hard onto the courtroom floor, her briefcase spilling papers everywhere. She clutched her shin grimacing in agony.
"Oops! Jessica laughed, looking down at Elena with pure contempt. So clumsy. "You really should watch where you're going, sweetie. Richard didn't help Elena up.
He didn't even look concerned. He laughed. "Nice one, Jess. Maybe that'll knock some sense into her. The bailiff, who had been looking at his phone, jumped up.
"Hey, what is going on here? "She tripped," Jessica shouted, raising her hands innocently. "She tried to attack me and she fell. She's crazy. Elena groaned on the floor, trying to stand, but her leg was throbbing.
A bruise was already forming, dark and ugly. I saw that. A reporter in the front row shouted. "She kicked her. "Liar!
Jessica screamed back. You're fake news. Suddenly, the door behind the bench flew open. It didn't open normally. It slammed against the wall with a force that shook the wood paneling.
Silence. The voice was like thunder. Judge Vance strode back onto the bench. He wasn't wearing his glasses anymore. His face was a terrifying shade of red, his eyes blazing with a fury that made Richard Sterling's blood turn to ice.
He didn't sit down. He stood at the towering podium, looking down at the scene like an avenging god. "Bailiff! Vance roared. "Lock the doors!
Nobody leaves this room. Nobody. The bailiff scrambled to the double doors and threw the bolt. The click echoed through the silent room. Jessica looked up at the judge, confused.
Excuse me, you can't lock us in here. I need to go to the bathroom, and this woman just tried to assault me. Judge Vance pointed a finger at Jessica. The finger was trembling with rage. You.
Vance's voice dropped to a whisper that was somehow louder than a scream. I saw everything. I was watching the security feed in my chambers. Jessica's face went pale. I It was an accident.
It was battery. Vance shouted. You just assaulted a litigant in my courtroom, in front of the bench. And then you laughed. Richard stood up, trying to regain control.
Your honor, let's calm down. Emotions are high. My fiancée is under a lot of stress. I'm sure we can settle this with a fine. A fine.
Vance looked at Richard as if he were a cockroach. You think money fixes this? You think your money fixes everything? It usually does, Richard muttered under his breath, arrogant to the end. Vance slowly sat down.
He picked up his gavel. He didn't bang it. He held it like a weapon.
"Bailiff," Vance said, his voice deadly calm. "Take Ms. Marlo into custody immediately. Charge her with contempt of court and assault, causing bodily harm.
What? Jessica shrieked as the bailiff moved towards her, pulling out handcuffs. Richard, do something. He can't arrest me. I'm wearing Chanel.
Don't touch her. Richard shouted, stepping in front of the bailiff. Do you know who I am? I will have your badge. I will have this judge disbarred.
Vance smiled. It was a terrifying smile. Oh, Mr. Sterling, you want to threaten me? Please continue. I am adding obstruction of justice to the list.
Bailiff, if he interferes, arrest him, too. The bailiff, a man who had worked for Judge Vance for 20 years and feared him more than God, shoved Richard aside. He grabbed Jessica's wrists. Click, click. The handcuffs were on.