Three days later, the Dallas County Courthouse was surrounded by satellite news vans, journalists, and local citizens. The scandal involving the prominent Montgomery real estate family had gripped the entire city.
Inside Courtroom 4B, Judge Richard Miller slammed his wooden gavel against the desk to restore order as bailiffs led Chloe into the room. She was dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, her wrists and ankles bound in heavy metal chains, her blonde hair messy and unstyled.
Chloe: Your Honor! This is an absolute circus! I am a victim of a corporate setup executed by my ex-fiancé and his house maid!
Judge Miller: Silence in the courtroom! Mrs. Vance, you will address this court only through your legal counsel!
Chloe's court-appointed attorney, a stressed man named Thomas Wright, stood up to address the bench.
Thomas Wright: Your Honor, my client requests emergency bail on the grounds of medical hardship and lack of prior criminal record.
Prosecutor Davis: The state strongly opposes bail, Your Honor! The defendant was caught on camera deliberately scalding an employee with boiling liquid, and she was apprehended while possessing decrypted federal evidence showing active flight preparations!
Gabriel sat in the front spectator row, wearing a dark grey suit, his posture firm and unyielding. Beside him sat Elena, her bandaged arm resting comfortably in a sling, her face calm and courageous.
Chloe turned her head toward the spectator gallery, glaring at Elena with pure venom.
Chloe: You ruined my life! You're just a servant! You were supposed to pour the tea and keep your mouth shut!
Judge Miller: Counsel, control your client immediately or I will have her remanded for contempt of court!
Thomas Wright: Chloe, sit down! You are destroying any chance we have!
Judge Miller: Having reviewed the digital evidence of the assault and the federal indictment papers filed by the United States Attorney, this court finds that the defendant poses a significant danger to the community and a severe flight risk. Bail is denied in its entirety.
Chloe: DENIED BAIL?! You can't leave me in a county jail cell! Do you know who I am?!
Judge Miller: You are a federal inmate awaiting trial, ma'am. Bailiffs, remove the defendant from my courtroom.
The heavy bailiffs took hold of Chloe's arms, dragging her toward the holding cell door as she kicked and shrieked in uncontrolled rage.
Chloe: Gabriel! Look at me! Tell them you love me! Tell them it was an accident!
Gabriel stood up slowly, looking directly into Chloe's eyes as she was pushed toward the door.
Gabriel: I loved a woman who didn't exist, Chloe. The woman standing there today is nothing but a criminal getting what she deserves.
The heavy steel door slammed shut behind her, cutting off her desperate screams with a deep, final thud that resonated through the entire courtroom.