Chapter 7: Justice Served

The courtroom remained silent.

Claire Morgan's face had lost every trace of confidence.

The audio recording continued to play.

"Please... don't hurt me..." Olivia's trembling voice echoed through the courtroom.

"You're nothing but a gold-digging liar!" Claire shouted in the recording.

Another loud slap followed.

Several people in the audience lowered their heads.

Even the reporters stopped typing.

When the recording ended, the silence became almost unbearable.

The judge slowly looked toward Claire.

"Ms. Morgan," he said firmly.

"Do you still maintain that you acted in self-defense?"

Claire's lips trembled.

"I... I..."

She searched desperately for her attorney.

Victor Hayes stood up.

"Your Honor, my client acted emotionally. She genuinely believed she was protecting her employer."

"Protecting him?" Nathan's attorney replied.

"Does protecting an employer include assaulting a pregnant woman?"

"Does it include destroying evidence, lying to investigators, and filing a false lawsuit?"

Victor had no answer.

The judge turned another page in the case file.

"The court has also reviewed the deleted emails recovered from Bennett Holdings' servers."

"These records clearly show that Ms. Morgan deliberately intercepted personal messages addressed to Mr. Bennett."

"She canceled appointments without authorization and abused her position repeatedly."

Claire's shoulders began shaking.

"I was only trying to stay close to him..." she whispered.

"I loved him."

Nathan finally looked at her.

"Love?"

"No."

"Love protects people."

"What you felt was obsession."

"And because of your obsession, my wife almost lost her life."

Claire burst into tears.

"I'm sorry..."

"It's too late for apologies," Olivia said softly.

Everyone turned toward her.

She slowly stood despite Nathan's concern.

"For months... maybe years... I wondered why my husband seemed distant."

"I blamed myself."

"I thought I wasn't trying hard enough."

"Then I learned someone had been standing between us all along."

She looked directly at Claire.

"You didn't just attack me that day."

"You stole moments I'll never get back."

"You almost stole my child."

Tears rolled down Claire's face.

The judge struck the gavel.

"This court finds sufficient evidence to proceed with criminal sentencing."

"Claire Morgan is found guilty of aggravated assault, obstruction of justice, falsifying statements, and abuse of corporate authority."

"She is sentenced to eight years of imprisonment."

"Additionally, she will pay full financial compensation for medical expenses, emotional damages, and punitive damages as determined in civil court."

Claire collapsed into her chair.

"No..."

"Please..."

"I can't go to prison..."

The bailiffs approached.

As they placed handcuffs around her wrists, she looked toward Nathan one final time.

"If I had known she was your wife..."

"You would've treated another innocent woman the same way," Nathan interrupted.

"That's exactly why you belong behind bars."

Without another word, Claire was escorted from the courtroom.

Camera flashes exploded outside.

Within minutes, every major news outlet reported the verdict.

**Former Executive Secretary Sentenced After Assaulting CEO's Pregnant Wife.**

Public opinion shifted overnight.

People who had once admired Claire's professionalism now condemned her actions.

Several former employees stepped forward, revealing similar stories of intimidation and workplace abuse.

Bennett Holdings announced new policies protecting employees and visitors from harassment.

Nathan personally oversaw every reform.

Weeks later, Olivia returned for another hospital examination.

She nervously squeezed Nathan's hand as the doctor completed the ultrasound.

The room remained quiet.

Finally, the doctor smiled.

"Congratulations."

"Your baby is healthy."

"The pregnancy is stable now."

Olivia covered her mouth as tears filled her eyes.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"The danger has passed."

Nathan wrapped his arms around his wife carefully.

For the first time since that terrible day, both of them cried with relief instead of fear.

But just as they prepared to leave the hospital, Nathan's phone rang.

It was Ethan.

"Sir..."

"There's someone waiting at the company."

"She says she has information about the anonymous person who encouraged Claire to separate you and Mrs. Bennett."

"She claims... Claire wasn't acting completely alone."