Chapter 6: The Digital Evidence
The video on the tablet screen began to play with a soft click. The camera angle was steady, clearly captured by a security lens mounted near the second-story window of Elmwood Estate. The timestamp in the corner read three days ago, late in the evening.
On screen, Marcus Vance stood by the black luxury sedan, his white button-up shirt glowing under the porch light. Victoria was pacing back and forth in her red dress, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
“You’re pushing her too hard, Marcus,” Victoria’s recorded voice echoed clearly through the tablet’s speakers. “Sterling’s investigators are asking questions in the city. If she snaps out of the fog now, everything we built crumbles.”
Marcus scoffed, running a hand through his short dark hair. “She won't snap out of anything. I doubled her evening dosage last week. She couldn't remember her own middle name if her life depended on it. As soon as the final trust transfer clears next month, we liquidate the remaining properties and disappear to the Caymans.”
Victoria stopped pacing and turned to him, her face tight with anxiety. “And what about me? My share better be waiting in Geneva before we move a single inch.”
“You’ll get your cut,” Marcus replied coldly, stepping closer to her with an intimidating posture. “Just keep playing your part. If Emily so much as blinks out of line, remind her of her place.”
Emily pressed the pause button, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the edges of the tablet. Hearing him speak about her with such utter disdain, reducing her to a programmable object, ignited a cold fury in her veins. She looked up at Arthur, who was watching her with a calm, supportive expression.
“He planned to run,” Emily said quietly.
“And he would have succeeded if we hadn't intercepted him at the gates,” Arthur replied. “This video alone is enough to establish premeditation and long-term abuse. Combined with the medical records of the sedatives found in your former home, his defense team won't have a leg to stand on.”
“I want to face him,” Emily said suddenly.
Arthur frowned, leaning forward. “Emily, that isn't necessary at this stage. The prosecutors can handle the arraignment.”
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“No,” she insisted, her voice unwavering. “He looked me in the eyes every single day and made me believe I was losing my mind. I need to look him in the eyes now and show him that Emily Bennett is back, and she is entirely unbreakable.”
Arthur studied her for a long moment, reading the fierce determination etched into her features. Slowly, a respectful nod touched his lips. “Very well. The arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow morning at the federal courthouse. I’ll make sure you have a front-row seat.”
