Chapter 27
A week later, the court date arrived.
Because Diana’s company had already made a name for itself and the case had attracted significant attention, the trial was broadcast
live online.
Zach’s lawyer presented all the evidence aggressively and with calculation, laying traps for me at every turn. Zach sat beside him, silent, unable to lift his eyes to meet mine.
Hannah, however, sat in the audience, her gaze once again full of arrogance and provocation, clearly convinced that I would lose.
But when Diana presented the evidence we had meticulously prepared, both of them were dumbfounded.
Simultaneously, she played a recording. It clearly captured a conversation between Zach and Hannah. Everyone in the courtroom could see through their scheme.
Everyone knew that Hannah had betrayed the company’s secrets for money, causing the company not only to miss development opportunities but also to be saddled with a massive penalty for breach of contract.
In the recording, Hannah was crying uncontrollably. “Zach, I’m still young…and I’m pregnant with your child. Do you really want our baby to grow up knowing its mother went to prison?”
“I know I was wrong. Hit me, yell at me, hate me, but just don’t leave me!”
Then came the sound of a slap. I suspected it was Hannah holding Zach’s wrist and hitting herself, after all, she was very skilled at this kind of self–inflicted drama.
Hannah sat in the audience, her previous smug expression gone, her face now bruised and purple. She could no longer stay in her seat. “This is impossible! This recording is fake!” she shouted, “They fabricated it!”
She tried to snatch the recording, but staff held her firmly in place.
“Fine, I’ll help you–just this once,” Zach’s calm and resolute voice rang out.
A stunned silence fell over the courtroom. Online, viewers erupted in outrage.
I glanced at Zach. He seemed to have anticipated this outcome; his face was pale but he showed no extreme reaction.
The judge asked Zach to confirm the recording’s authenticity or present evidence to contest it. The entire courtroom waited for his next
move.
Hannah’s eyes were bloodshot as she urged him to clarify that the recording was false. But Zach simply rose to his feet and slowly walked toward her. The court officers, seeing his calm demeanor, did not stop him.
Hannah, thinking he wanted to negotiate with her, relaxed slightly, her face lighting up as she lowered her voice.
“Zach, quickly find a way to clarify! Tell them this recording is fake!”
“Be rational, just like before. You and Serena have already broken up, don’t hesitate…”
She didn’t get to finish. Zach’s hand shot out, striking her across the face with a sharp crack.
