Scapegoat And Heir

The first video started playing. In the video, Terry kicked open the door while holding the trembling Sarah in his arms. He told me, "If you take the blame for her, I'll find the best doctors from all over the world for your mother."

Next, my calm voice could be heard saying, "In that case, let's go get our marriage certificate today." The video paused.

My defense attorney, Michael, immediately stood up. He adjusted his glasses and spoke steadily and forcefully, "Your Honor, this video proves that the defendant voluntarily took the blame. She even used it to coerce marriage and property. Even if her husband, Terry Bolton, indeed has the intention of having the defendant take the blame, the defendant is a conspirator."

He paused and looked at me with a blatant threat in his gaze. "Ms. Wilson, are you sure you want to do this?"

The judge turned to me. "Defendant, do you acknowledge what he said?"

"I object!" I stood up, my voice clear. "Moreover, I wish to change my defense attorney."

Michael frowned and wanted to say something, but I interrupted him. I looked right at him and spoke each word clearly, "Michael Sorensen is a lawyer that Mr. Terry Bolton 'arranged' for me. I did not hire him. Therefore, I request to change my defense attorney. From here on out, I will represent myself."

Michael's expression changed dramatically. "You…"

Before he could finish, the judge's gavel struck. "Mr. Sorensen has a conflict of interest in this case. Please leave the courtroom right away."

Michael was escorted out by the bailiff, looking livid. Before leaving, he glanced back at me, sending warnings with his eyes.

I took a deep breath and said, "Your Honor, I now request the second video to be played."

The video showed security footage from a mall. In the video, Sarah's card was declined. She blushed with embarrassment.

I leaned against the counter and could be heard saying, "Not enough money? Then get on your knees and cry."

Terry pulled her behind him and took out his phone to make a call. Then, he stood protectively in front of her, his eyes fierce. "If you keep doing this, I'll have to teach you a lesson."

The scene shifted to a screen recording from my phone. A news alert popped up:

[Murderer Splurges on Jewelry Worth Millions, Refuses to Pay Injured Girl's Medical Fees]

The comments section was filled with curses aimed at me. The video returned to the security footage.

With a trembling voice, I asked, "Did you do this?"

Terry closed his eyes, and his tone softened. "If you apologize to Sarah for humiliating her, I'll remove it from the trending news."

Right after he said that, a woman burst into the frame holding a metal rod. Following a terrified scream, the camera shook violently, then went dark.

The video stopped there, and the courtroom fell into silence.

I turned to the judge and said, my voice steady, "Your Honor, Terry Bolton used cyberbullying to threaten me to apologize to Sarah Horst. As a result, I was brutally assaulted with a metal rod and was hospitalized. I had to pretend to compromise, or my life would be continuously threatened."

In the audience, Terry clenched his fists tightly. He subtly gestured to someone nearby, and a man suddenly shouted, "Objection!"

Michael, who had seated himself in the front row of the audience, strode up to the defendant's table. "Your Honor, I've accepted Mr. Bolton's request to be his defense attorney."

He then turned to me, his eyes sharp. "Ms. Wilson, you've shown no proof that Mr. Bolton threatened you. Can you prove that he paid for the trending news? Can you prove that he orchestrated the cyberbullying?"

After that, he turned back to the judge. "If Ms. Wilson insists that my client, Mr. Bolton, did all that, I demand she provide direct evidence."

The courtroom fell silent. All eyes were on me.