Chapter 2

The moment I stepped into the courtroom, I saw Chloe and her mother seated at the plaintiff's table.

As I passed, Chloe hastily lowered her head, shoulders slightly hunched, looking frightened.

Her mother pulled her close protectively, staring at me with venom:

"Don't be scared, Chloe, Mom's here."

"With so many people here today, those evil people will definitely get what's coming to them!"

I stopped in front of them, nodding in agreement:

"You're right. Evil people always get their comeuppance."

Chloe's eyelashes fluttered.

I said nothing more and walked straight to the defendant's table.

The gavel fell, and the trial officially began.

The plaintiff's attorney, Mr. Davidson, stood first:

"First, let the victim describe the incident."

Chloe sniffled, her voice catching as she began:

"Stella... no, Ms. Miller, she tricked me into her home under the guise of offering a job. At first, she said she lived alone and wanted me to prepare her meals and handle daily cleaning."

"After working for about a month, she said she was going on a trip and left me alone at home. Before she left, she gave me a drink. After I drank it, I felt dizzy. Then, her husband came back... and dragged me into the room."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face:

"That man... he pinned me down on the bed, and he... he assaulted me."

Chloe's words immediately ignited the courtroom.

The public gallery was outraged:

"That's inhuman!"

"This is clearly a conspiracy between husband and wife!"

Ignoring the insults, I stood up and spoke in a cold voice:

"My husband would absolutely never do such a thing!"

Then I looked at Chloe:

"Why didn't you report it to the police immediately after the incident?"

Chloe, still crying, replied:

"He said if I dared to tell anyone, he'd make sure my family and I would never have a good day again."

"I'm just an employee, I wouldn't dare go against people like you. It was later, when I found out I was pregnant, that I gathered the courage to seek justice..."

A hushed murmur of discussion broke out in the gallery, with a few curses filtering through:

"Worse than an animal!"

"The wife isn't any good either, protecting a rapist!"

Chloe's mother seized the opportunity to wail mournfully:

"My daughter's life is ruined forever..."

As she wiped away tears, a fleeting glint of triumph flashed in her eyes, aimed at me.

I frowned deeply, raising my voice:

"You're lying. My husband couldn't possibly have raped you."

Hearing this, Mr. Davidson immediately interjected:

"Your Honor, we have crucial evidence."

Before everyone's eyes, he produced a USB drive and inserted it into a computer.

After some adjustments, a recording played through the courtroom speakers:

First, a sharp cry:

"Stella! Help me!"

Then, a man's low, mocking chuckle:

"You're asking Stella for help?"

"Looks like you still don't get it. Her leaving was just to clear the way for us."

"Just make me happy, and money, work, anything you want... Be a good girl."

This was followed by Chloe's desperate sobs and sounds of struggle:

"No! Please, let me go, I promise I won't say anything! Please!"

The recording ended abruptly with Chloe's piercing whimpers.

Chloe was already covering her face, trembling and sobbing.

Her mother shot to her feet, pointing at us and screaming:

"You hear that?! These devils conspired together! They tricked my daughter into their home just to force her!"