Elara’s phone buzzed as she rolled over in bed. She slowly opened her eyes and picked up her phone, her friend’s name flashing
on the screen.
“Hello, baby girl,” Tessa’s cheerful voice rang out. “Don’t tell me you’re still sleeping.”
“Yes, I am,” Elara replied, rubbing her eyes.
“Do you know what today means?? Tessa asked, excitement lacing her voice.
“About what?” Elara mumbled.
“Today is the downfall of the Regars!” Tessa screamed.
“Oh, right!” Elara’s eyes flew wide open. Today was the day—the day Daniel and his family would finally fall. “I need to get ready.”
“You should,” Tessa agreed. “I won’t be able to come. My parents didn’t allow me.”
“Okay, make sure to watch the news,” Elara responded before ending the call. She quickly jumped out of bed and stripped off her clothes, heading for the bathroom. After a quick shower, she dried off, applied lotion, and slipped into a short, elegant dress.
She combed her hair, then hurried out of her room.
“Hurry up, Damian,” Elara called impatiently as she rushed toward the car. Today was the Regars‘ hearing. She and Damian had worked tirelessly to help the authorities gather enough evidence evidence that could lock the Regars away for good.
“I’m coming,” Damian replied, stepping out of his room and approaching her.
“I can’t wait to see their downfall,” she said, a smile tugging at her lips. “Daniel deserves to be jailed.”
“Yes,” Damian whispered as they got into the car. “And I’m going to make sure both him and his despicable father end up behind bars.” The driver started the car, and they drove out of the penthouse.
“We’ve arrived, sir,” the driver announced as they pulled up to the courthouse. Reporters swarmed outside with their cameras as Elara and Damian stepped out of the car. Spotting Damian Blackwood and his wife, the media rushed toward them.
“Mr. Blackwood!” one of the reporters shouted, thrusting a microphone toward Damian. “How do you feel about today—the downfall of the Regars?”
With a smirk on his handsome face, Damian replied, “I can’t say exactly how I feel, but…” He paused for a moment. “It’s karma, and they must pay for all their evil deeds.”
“You must be really pleased, Mr. Blackwood, considering Daniel was your business rival,” another reporter chimed in. “And your wife’s ex–boyfriend. You must be glad to have finally gotten rid of him.”
Damian scoffed, his eyes narrowing dangerously at the reporter. The man shrank back, a nervous sweat breaking out on his forehead.
“How dare you!” Damian yelled. “How dare you speak about my wife like that? Which company do you work for?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Blackwood,” the reporter stammered as Damian made a quick phone call after spotting the man’s company logo.
“Fire him immediately,” Damian ordered before hanging up.
The gallery was packed with a mix of journalists, victims, and curious onlookers. Among them sat Elara Blackwood, her gaze fixed intently on the Regars men.
+25 BONUS
“Your Honor,” Hayes began, her voice steady, “the people of the state of New York allege that the defendants, Daniel and Thomas Regars, have engaged in a’decades–long pattern of criminal activity, including fraud, embezzlement, bribery, and- most heinously—the sexual assault and harassment of numerous employees and business associates.”
Daniel shifted uncomfortably in his seat as his lawyer whispered furiously in his ear. Thomas, impassive, stared straight ahead, seemingly resigned to his fate.
As Hayes presented the first witnesses–former employees who bravely shared their stories of abuse–the tension in the courtroom reached a breaking point. Elara watched, her expression unreadable, as each testimony chipped away at the Regars‘ carefully cultivated public image.
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