After His Mistress Murdered Grandma, I Tore Their World Apart

"Colette!"

Yareli suddenly called out with urgency, forcing a smile as she walked over to me, taking my hand in a seemingly friendly grip.

"I didn't realize you were the one bringing this case to court. If I had known, I'd have asked them to drop it. We're all like family; showing our problems in public is embarrassing."

I gave a cold laugh, shaking her hand off sharply.

"Family? With you, the other woman? This is about justice, and if you think a few apologies will fix it, you're dreaming!"

"Enough already, Colette! Will you ever stop? Keep up with this slander, and I'll sue you for defamation!"

Lennon stormed over, his expression stormy with anger, pulling me aside and shielding the pale Yareli protectively.

"I've reviewed all the footage from the Alpine retreat. Yareli never laid a finger on your grandmother. This whole thing seems like a drama your family invented, and you have the nerve to come at us!"

"Yareli's trying to make peace, and this is your attitude? Even if you begged us on your knees now, I'd still see this through to the end!"

He shoved me hard, and my arm slammed into the edge of the table, pain flashing across my face. But he didn't notice, his mind solely on defending his childhood sweetheart. Although I had resolved to leave him, witnessing this scene left me cold. In Lennon's eyes, his darling could do no wrong, no matter what anyone said.

"Then let's see this through," I said, staring pointedly at Yareli. I let out a sharp laugh and turned to leave. As I passed the audience, they glared at me with disdain, convinced from the start that I was at fault.

Lennon's attorney was indeed effective, presenting two main arguments. First, as a public figure, Yareli had no reason to suddenly attack someone in broad daylight. Second, crucial evidence was missing; both the elevator and rooftop cameras were conveniently down for maintenance that day, leaving no proof that Yareli had pushed my grandmother. Even the bystander who called emergency services had changed their story, now falsely testifying. According to their account, Yareli was a kind and innocent girl who had tried to help an elderly woman with mobility issues. Who would have believed this was all a scheme by the elderly woman to extort her?

I instantly knew Lennon's influence was all over this. He must have pulled strings to clear Yareli's name.

The defense attorney adjusted her glasses and declared, "In conclusion, the plaintiff lacks evidence to prove my client caused harm, while our evidence suggests the elder acted impulsively in a moment of emotional stress."

"Lies! My grandmother was clearly pushed by Yareli. Lennon erased the evidence!"

Furious, my vision blurred as I lunged from my seat, ready to confront Yareli. Lennon swiftly intervened, pushing me back. The searing pain in my chest left me gasping on the floor, unable to get up right away.

Lennon spread his hands before the judge, triumphantly. "You've seen her attempt to harm. I had to defend myself."

"The other party's emotions are over the top; it's actually her who attempted aggression. This was all an act, and now she’s irrationally enraged. I think she's unhinged, and her grandmother's behavior was disgracefully extortionate."

He actually said that aloud!

I shot Lennon a look filled with hatred. Feeling my intense gaze, he clenched his fists and awkwardly cleared his throat, returning to his seat. Yareli looked at him with admiration, her face full of gratitude. Emboldened, Lennon’s expression turned smug, raising an eyebrow at me with confidence in his impending victory.

His words didn’t sway the judge's final decision. Yet due to the lack of decisive proof, the judge declared Yareli not guilty, dismissing the case as an impulsive act by an extortionate elder.

As the verdict was announced, Yareli visibly relaxed with relief. The jury remained convinced of Yareli’s innocence, seeing me as a deceptive accuser.

"She’s crazy, trying to pin this on Yareli, but thank goodness her lawyer was sharp."

"Exactly, she seems unstable. This plaintiff's family doesn't seem right at all. Was that top lawyer actually hired by her partner?"

"Yeah, a friend at the law firm confirmed it. Her partner hired him personally, showing how devoted he is to Yareli. I'm all for this match!"

As they gathered, pointing fingers, Lennon held Yareli as they prepared to leave. Outside, the media, having caught wind of the trial, eagerly snapped photos of Lennon and Yareli.

Passing by me, Lennon kept his gaze steady, his words dripping with contempt.

"You deserved this! I told you to stop fighting with Yareli. Look at you now!"

"Maybe your grandmother’s death was warranted, your family driven mad by money."

Yareli added with false sympathy beside him, "Oh, Colette might have just gotten the wrong idea. She wasn't born into money, unlike us."

Lennon sneered, "That’s the mindset of poverty for you, years of living as a wealthy wife couldn’t change it, and it annoys me the most."

My hands clenched into tight fists, and I shouted at Lennon's retreating figure.

"Do you think anyone wants to be this so-called wealthy wife? Lennon Nichols, we're getting a divorce!"