Chapter 6: The Courtroom Trap

Three days later...

The hospital room was much quieter.

Olivia had regained some strength, but she remained on strict bed rest.

The doctors had managed to stabilize the pregnancy.

Every examination ended with the same warning.

"The baby is still at risk."

"Mrs. Bennett must avoid stress completely."

Nathan refused to leave her side.

His work had been moved to the hospital.

Every business meeting was either postponed or held through video conference.

"You don't have to stay here all day," Olivia said softly.

"The company needs you."

Nathan gently squeezed her hand.

"Right now, nothing matters more than you and our child."

Before Olivia could respond, Ethan entered carrying several folders.

"Sir, the court has scheduled the preliminary hearing."

"Tomorrow morning."

"Good," Nathan replied.

"We'll be there."

The next morning...

The courthouse entrance was packed with reporters.

Camera flashes lit up the steps as Nathan carefully helped Olivia from the car.

"Mrs. Bennett!"

"Is it true your pregnancy was endangered?"

"Mr. Bennett, will you forgive your secretary?"

"Did Bennett Holdings try to hide the incident?"

Nathan ignored every question.

His only concern was helping Olivia safely inside.

Meanwhile, Claire Morgan entered through another entrance.

She wore a simple white dress and minimal makeup.

Instead of looking like a corporate executive, she appeared fragile and innocent.

Standing beside her was the city's most famous defense attorney, Victor Hayes.

"Don't worry," Victor whispered.

"We'll turn public opinion around."

Claire nodded confidently.

"I understand."

Inside the courtroom, the hearing began.

Claire immediately burst into tears.

"Your Honor," she sobbed.

"I was only trying to protect my employer."

"Mrs. Bennett never identified herself."

"She became aggressive when I questioned her."

"I simply defended myself."

Several reporters quickly scribbled notes.

Victor stood and presented photographs.

"These pictures show scratches on my client's arm."

"They were caused by Mrs. Bennett."

Nathan's lawyer immediately objected.

"Those injuries appeared after the incident."

"There is no evidence connecting them to my client."

Victor smiled calmly.

"Then perhaps the surveillance footage will help us."

The courtroom lights dimmed.

A hallway security recording appeared on the large screen.

The footage showed Claire dragging Olivia into the conference room.

Victor quickly paused the video.

"As everyone can see," he argued,

"There is no recording from inside the room."

"No one actually witnessed what happened."

"Therefore, we cannot prove who attacked first."

Whispers spread across the courtroom.

The missing conference room footage suddenly became the center of attention.

Claire secretly smiled.

She believed she had already won.

Then Ethan quietly walked toward Nathan.

"Sir..."

"Our IT department recovered something this morning."

Nathan looked up.

"What is it?"

"Someone forgot the conference room projector was connected to the internal presentation system."

"It automatically recorded audio backups during every meeting."

"Including the day of the assault."

Nathan slowly smiled for the first time in days.

"Do we have the file?"

"Yes."

"Every word."

Nathan handed a flash drive to his attorney.

"Your Honor," the lawyer announced.

"The plaintiff would like to submit newly discovered evidence."

Claire's confident expression instantly froze.

Victor's face darkened.

"What evidence?"

The judge accepted the flash drive.

"Play the recording."

A familiar voice echoed throughout the silent courtroom.

"You're just another woman trying to seduce Mr. Bennett!"

Then...

"Please... I'm pregnant..."

"Every mistress says that!"

A loud slap.

A terrified scream.

The sound of someone collapsing.

The courtroom fell deathly silent.

Claire's face turned completely white.

The judge slowly removed his glasses.

"Ms. Morgan..."

"Would you like to explain this recording?"

Claire opened her mouth...

But not a single word came out.