Chapter 5 - The Audio
The preliminary hearing was suffocatingly tense. Vanessa sat in her tailored suit, looking like a victim. Her lawyer was currently arguing that the case should be dismissed due to lack of evidence, claiming Rachel had a history of "emotional instability."
Arthur stood up. "Your Honor, we just received the cloud data from the defendant's kitchen smart-appliance. We request to play a ten-second audio clip."
Vanessa’s lawyer objected, but the judge overruled.
Arthur clicked his laptop. The courtroom speakers crackled.
First, the sound of sizzling bacon. Then, Vanessa’s voice, sharp and malicious: "Get out of Lily’s chair, you little rat. No? Let's see if this teaches you a lesson."
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A heavy THWACK. The horrifying scream of a child. Then, the sickening sound of Eleanor’s voice: "Stop shouting, take her somewhere. She’s disturbing everyone’s mood."
The courtroom erupted into gasps. Vanessa turned completely white. Her father buried his face in his hands. The judge slammed his gavel, his face red with disgust. "Bail is revoked. The defendant will await trial in county jail."
