Chapter 4

“DNA evidence!”

Excited murmurs rippled through the jury box.

“She has nothing left to say now!”

“Science doesn’t lie!”

“Harper, what’s your excuse for this?”

Gavin strutted in the center of the courtroom. A victory lap.

“Your Honor, in the face of such conclusive evidence, I demand an immediate judgment of five million dollars in civil damages!”

He pointed at me, his voice ringing with power. “And we are filing for an emergency restraining order. Keep that monster one thousand feet away from my client at all times!”

The gallery burst into applause.

“Yes! Keep that little monster away from her!”

“Five million isn’t enough!”

“He should be in jail!”

I looked at the bag of golden fur, and the corner of my mouth tilted up in a slight smile.

That tiny change in expression didn’t escape anyone’s notice.

“Look at her!” Brenda shrieked from her seat. “The proof is staring us in the face, and she’s smiling! That woman has no soul!”

Her voice grew shriller. “Harper Mitchell, if you think five million dollars will make this go away, you are dead wrong!”

Brenda stormed toward the front, her eyes spitting fire. “I will ruin you, Harper! I’ll bankrupt your company! I’ll run you out of this town!”

She whipped out her phone and went live. “Everyone, look at her! Look at this cold-blooded monster! We have DNA proof that her son destroyed my daughter, and she’s just sitting there, smiling!”

The comments on her live-stream exploded.

“Scum!”

“How is she even a mother?”

“Harper Mitchell. Remember that name.”

“Boycott her company!”

Just then, Tiffany let out a pained moan.

“Mom… I… I can’t…”

Her body swayed, and then she slowly collapsed to the side.

“Tiffany!” Brenda shrieked, rushing toward her.

Gavin immediately called for the paramedics. “Quick! She’s been triggered again! It’s all because of the defendant’s cold-hearted attitude!”

The courtroom descended into chaos.

Cameras flashed wildly. The online audience was completely captivated by the drama.

“That poor girl!”

“This is all Harper’s fault!”

“That woman is a demon!”

I remained in my seat, calmly observing it all.

The paramedics checked Tiffany’s blood pressure and pulse, then confirmed she had simply fainted from emotional distress.

“She needs rest,” the medic told the judge.

The judge looked at me. “Ms. Mitchell, in the face of this evidence, do you have anything else to say?”

I slowly rose to my feet and adjusted my blazer.

“I have one question, Your Honor.”

“What is it?”

“So let me confirm,” I said, my gaze locking onto Gavin. “This hair and this semen… they came from the attacker.”

“Of course!” Gavin said smugly. “It was found on the victim’s clothes.”

“And you, Miss Tiffany?” I asked. “You agree?”

Tiffany, who had conveniently “awakened,” nodded weakly. “Yes… that’s it… I’ll never forget when he grabbed me…”

“Excellent.” I turned to the judge, my voice ringing with clarity. “Then we are all in agreement. This evidence came from the person who attacked Tiffany. This evidence is the key to this entire case.”

“That is correct,” the judge affirmed.

Brenda stood up again in the gallery. “She’s just trying to stall! Your Honor, rule now! Don’t listen to any more of her nonsense!”

“Yes! Rule now!”

“Make her pay!”

“Justice for Tiffany!”

The entire courtroom had become a sea of anger.

I checked my watch, then looked at the judge.

“Your Honor, since this is the deciding piece of evidence, I believe this case will be settled very soon.”

“What do you mean?”

I smiled. “I’d like to call a witness.”

Gavin frowned. “What witness? This case is closed.”

“I call the defendant to the stand,” I announced, my voice cutting through the tension.

The judge stared. “You’re calling your son?”

“Yes.” I turned toward the heavy courtroom doors. “Bring in Cooper.”

The room fell silent.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for the violent, dangerous, rich-kid monster to walk through the door.

The doors opened. And everyone stared. Utterly stunned.