Three weeks later, the hallway outside Courtroom 4B in the downtown district courthouse was packed with reporters and legal representatives. Samantha sat on a wooden bench beside her public defender, wearing a plain gray suit with no makeup and her hair tied back in a simple ponytail.
Her family's high-priced corporate lawyers had backed out weeks ago after their firm went bankrupt, leaving her with no financial resources to fight the heavy state charges.
David and Chloe walked down the corridor accompanied by their senior legal counsel, stopping a few feet away from where Samantha sat.
Public Defender: Mr. Hayes, my client is willing to offer a full written apology in exchange for a reduced plea deal on the grand larceny charge.
David: No plea deals, counselor. The district attorney has already reviewed the security tape and the recorded insurance call.
Public Defender: She is facing up to five years in state prison if this goes to trial, Mr. Hayes. She has no prior criminal record.
Chloe: She didn't care about my record when she tried to frame me in my own home.
Samantha: Chloe, please... look at me! I lost my apartment! My car was repossessed last Tuesday! I have nothing left!
Chloe: You had my friendship, Samantha. You had people who cared about you and would have helped you if you were honest. But you chose greed and spite instead.
Samantha: I was jealous! Okay?! I admitted it! I couldn't stand seeing you happy while my life was falling apart!
Chloe: Jealousy is a choice, Samantha. And choices have consequences.
The court bailiff stepped out from the double oak doors, clapping his hands together loudly to address the waiting hallway.
Bailiff: State versus Samantha Vance! All parties enter the courtroom! Honorable Judge Miller presiding!
Samantha stood up slowly, her knees shaking as her public defender guided her toward the heavy doors.
Samantha: Chloe... please don't testify against me today...
Chloe: I'm not just testifying, Samantha. I am going to make sure the judge sees every single second of that security video.
David placed his arm protectively around Chloe's waist as they walked past Samantha into the courtroom. Inside, the bright fluorescent lights reflected off the polished wooden pews, casting a cold, serious atmosphere over the room.
The judge took his seat at the high bench, shuffling through the official police reports and viewing the digital evidence file on his monitor.
Judge Miller: The evidence of premeditated fraud and malicious prosecution in this case is overwhelming, Miss Vance.
Samantha: Your Honor, I was experiencing extreme financial stress—
Judge Miller: Stress does not excuse attempting to frame an innocent person for a felony, ma'am. Bail is set at two hundred thousand dollars, remanded to custody immediately.
The bailiff stepped forward, clicking heavy steel handcuffs around Samantha's wrists as she let out a loud, sobbing gasp.
Samantha: No! Please! You can't take me to jail!
Chloe: Justice is finally served.