New beginning: Billionaire love story

The next morning, Claire was pacing around her room, getting ready to head to court. She was feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. This could finally be the day Lisa gets what she deserves. As she was zipping up her bag, her phone rang. It was Matthew.

"Hey, I heard you're going to court today," Matthew said the moment Claire picked up.

Claire nodded, even though he couldn't see her, and said, "Yep, heading there now. Hopefully, it'll be the last time. This trial has been dragging on forever, and Lisa should finally be put in jail."

Matthew sighed at the other end. "Why didn't you tell me? I could've come with you or something."

Claire smiled, knowing Matthew meant well but wasn't exactly the best support in stressful situations. "I didn't want to bother you with it. Plus, while I'm gone, I need you to take care of that meeting I have at 9 AM."

Matthew groaned dramatically. "Ugh, meetings. Why do you do this to me, Claire?" She could practically see his face scrunched up in irritation, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"You've gotta get used to it, Matthew. One day, who knows, you might be the one running this company if I'm not around anymore." She said it with a teasing tone, but Matthew didn't like it one bit.

"Don't say weird stuff like that!" he protested, sounding genuinely uncomfortable.

Claire chuckled. "Relax, I'm just joking. Anyway, I have to get going now. I'll call you later with the good news."

"Yeah, let me know how it goes. Good luck, Claire," Matthew said, his voice softening a bit.

"Thanks, I'll need it," she replied before hanging up the call.

With that, Claire headed downstairs to the lobby and slid into the backseat of her car. She felt good about today like things might finally got her way. Maybe, just maybe, Lisa would get sentenced for years-or, if Claire had her way, for a lifetime. That thought made her feel a little lighter.

The ride to the courthouse took about 30 minutes, and when she arrived, her lawyer, Mr. David, was already waiting for her in the lobby.

"Morning, Claire," he greeted her with a firm handshake. "You ready for today?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Claire replied with a small smile. They walked inside together, heading towards the courtroom.

As they walked, Mr. David glanced at her and said, "You'll be testifying today. Remember, Claire, you need to tell the whole truth. Don't hold back on any details. This could be the final push we need to win this."

"I know," Claire nodded. "I'll tell them everything."

They walked in and took their seats. A few moments later, the judge entered, and everyone stood up as he took his place at the front. Claire scanned the room, her brow furrowing when she noticed something or rather, someone-missing.

She leaned over and whispered to her lawyer, "Where's Lisa? She's supposed to be here."

Mr. David looked over to the defense table, frowning. "That's odd. She's required to be here. Maybe she's sick or something?"

Claire rolled her eyes, her annoyance barely contained. "Classic Lisa," she muttered under her breath. "Always pulling some kind of stunt. Sick, my ass."

The trial kicked off, and after some initial formalities, t was time for Claire to take the stand. She walked up, took the oath, and sat down, her hands gripping the edges of the chair. She took a deep breath, steadying herself as she faced the courtroom. Mr. David approached and gave her a nod of encouragement. "Claire, can you tell the court about your history with Lisa?"

Claire cleared her throat and began.

"It all started when Lisa had an affair

with my ex-husband. They were going to get married, but I warned him about her-about all her lies and manipulation. Eventually, he called off the wedding. That's when Lisa started coming after me

She glanced at the jury, who were listening intently. "At first, it was small things. She'd send me nasty messages or spread rumors about me. But then it got worse. Much worse." "Can you explain what you mean by 'worse'?" Mr. David asked.

Claire nodded. "Lisa started stalking me. She would show up at my house, at my work. Once, she even tried to drive me off the road. I lost count of how many times she tried

to hurt me. And it wasn't just ednoveldrama

physical-she tried to ruin my

reputation too. She spread lies about me, and when that didn't work, she drugged me."

There were gasps from the audience. Claire paused, trying to keep her emotions in check.

"Drugged you?" Mr. David asked, his voice calm but firm.

"Yes, she didn't stop. A few months later, she tried to kill me. She... she kidnapped me, took me to some remote cabin, and tried to kill me again" her voice firm and determined. No hesitation can be sensed in her voice. The room went completely silent. Even the judge seemed frozen for a moment.

"She said she was going to end it once and for all. She had a knife, and I honestly thought I was going to die. But I managed to escape with the help of my friends."

Mr. David stepped back slightly. "Thank you, Claire. I know this is difficult for you to relive, but your testimony is crucial."

Claire nodded and looked over at the empty seat where Lisa should've been. The fact that Lisa wasn't even here to face her made her blood boil. But she wasn't going to let Lisa's absence stop her from telling the truth.

The judge, an older man with

graying hair and a stern look,

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nodded toward Claire Peterson as she stepped down from the witness stand. "Thank you for your testimony, Ms. Peterson," he said, his voice firm but polite. Claire, feeling a surge of confidence, gave a slight nod in return. She walked back to her seat, glancing over at the defense table where Lisa

his voice

Thompson's lawyer sat, looking a bit

out of sorts.

The judge shifted his attention to him and said, "Your turn, Mr. Ronald. Time to dispute Miss Peterson's testimony and make your case for Ms. Thompson's innocence."

Claire couldn't help but raise her eyebrows as she watched Lisa's lawyer, who looked about as comfortable as a fish out of water.

Just Mr. Ronald, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else but there. He stood, tugging at the collar of his shirt nervously, and stepped forward to address the court.

Claire leaned back in her seat, a small smile playing on her lips. Oh, this was going to be good. She could sense it. Lisa's lawyer looked like he was about to pass out, and Claire had a gut feeling this day was going to end in her favor.

"Uh, your honor," Mr. Ronald began, his voice shaky, "My client, Miss Thompson, uh, should be found not guilty because, um, the testimony provided by Miss Peterson is, uh, clearly unreliable."

Claire stifled a laugh. Clearly? He didn't sound sure of anything. She glanced over at the judge, who was sitting there with one of those expressions that said, "I've heard this before, and I don't believe a word of it."

When Mr. Ronald finally finished his pitiful defense, the courtroom was dead silent for a moment.

The judge cleared his throat and leaned forward. "Well, thank you, Mr. Davidson. I'll make my decision now."

Claire sat up straighter in her seat, heart pounding with anticipation.

A court clerk rushed over, leaning down to whisper something in the judge's ear. Claire frowned. What now?

The judge's face tightened as he listened, his hand still hovering over the gavel.

"Before I render my verdict," he said, his voice noticeably more tense, "I've just been informed that Ms. Thompson has been admitted to the hospital. She apparently... attempted to harm herself."