Chapter 8 - The Courtroom
The trial began six months later.
Victoria sat beside her attorneys.
Daniel was brought in separately.
The charges included conspiracy, assault, attempted murder, fraud, kidnapping conspiracy, and financial crimes.
Elena sat beside Arthur.
Sofia sat behind her.
Mrs. Walsh testified.
The camera footage was played.
The courtroom watched Victoria shove Elena.
Nobody spoke.
Then the recording played.
“You don't deserve to look like a bride.”
The prosecutor paused.
Then played:
“Now you match your worth.”
Victoria's expression didn't change.
But Daniel looked down.
The prosecutor then presented the financial evidence.
Forged custody documents.
Trust records.
Bank transfers.
Payments to witnesses.
Everything.
When Daniel was questioned, he admitted the plan.
He claimed Victoria had pressured him.
Victoria claimed Daniel had acted alone.
The jury didn't believe either.
Then Sofia testified.
She described the rope.
The balcony.
The knife.
And Daniel's words:
“This child cannot live.”
The courtroom became silent.
Elena closed her eyes.
She had heard those words once.
Now the entire world heard them.
The verdict came two weeks later.
Guilty.
Victoria received a lengthy sentence.
Daniel was sentenced as well.
The trust was restructured under independent supervision.
Elena became the protected legal beneficiary.
Her daughter was named as the eventual heir.
But Elena chose something unexpected.
She refused to keep all the money.
Instead, she created a foundation.
The Bellamy Women's Trust.
It would support women who had been financially abused by powerful families.
Sofia became an administrator.
Mrs. Walsh became an honorary chairwoman.
And the estate?
Elena refused to live there.
She sold it.
The proceeds funded shelters, legal programs, and scholarships.
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The mansion that had once been a symbol of wealth became a symbol of something else.
Freedom.
