Chaos at the court

Chapter 75 Chaos at the court Only one thing pushed me to show up; I wanted to see what Royce looks like in his inmate clothes. I want to see whether he'd still have the boyish dreamy smirk that usually adorned his face. Over the weeks, things have turned even more dramatic as more evidence of his atrocities showed up. The entire city now knows and accepts that Royce is nothing but a disaster waiting to happen. As I sat down on the first roll in the courtroom,I watched his entourage of lawyers speak. For so many weeks after his arrest, all they have done was try to change narratives. Britney became the scapegoat as they piled everything on her. I,on the other hand, had no evidence to counter their claim. They couldn't rely on what I had to say and so, only solid evidence would do and I had none. A silver lining showed after dad suddenly remembered that the locket he gave me for my anniversary three years ago had a camera. He wasn't sure if it was still working but he remembered how mom had insisted that she wanted a camera in it. She wanted the locket to carry their story and tell it to generations to come. It had been difficult to get the content because the camera was an old model. However, it took their voices clearly and their faces were clear to some extent. 'Miss Cullen,are you ready to show us the video?" The prosecutor asked me and I nodded. The video was collected from me. While all that was going on, Royce looked unfazed. He probably thought I was yapping nonsense. His countenance changed when he heard his voice from three years ago, loud and clear. ‘Really? You won't sign it. I guess you want the whole world to know your secret then?' He sat up straight when he heard the voice and looked towards me but I only shrugged. It was my time to be unfazed. As if on cue,the video showed how Britney had broken a bottle on a nearest stool and brushed it across my face. Everyone in the room gasped, the gasps soon turned to murmuring as everyone began to point accusing fingers to Royce and Britney. While some hated what Britney did, others were of the opinion that Royce had indulged him. I on the other hand said nothing, it felt surreal to watch everything that has happened unfold again. Christian understood my feelings and so, all he did was hold my hand as the whole thing unfolded. Even the judge was short of words. He removed his glasses and rubbed his temples in frustration. The judge banged the gavel, making everyone keep quiet. The judge sighed, ready to give his proceedings but before he could, Royce burst into anger and lurched towards me. 'You don't really believe this balderdash, do you? Who knows maybe the video is even real? His lawyers tried to calm him down but he wasn't having it. He was hell-bent on saying what he had on his mind. 'You saw clearly that I only told her to sign the divorce papers, I had nothing to do with the rest. I didn't hurt a single hair on her body. She did all of that," he said, pointing to Britney who wouldn't watch him lie on her. 'Shut your trash! I didn't do anything you didn't want. You watched me assault her but you said nothing. You urged me on because you wanted to get rid of her. You wanted her wealth for yourself. And when she showed up three months later,what did you say? You threatened to get rid of her if she didn't stay away. So, Don't you dare to heap the blame on me." The entire courtroom turned upside down as the two wouldn't stop divulging each of their secrets while the watchers gap at their stupidity. At this point, I said nothing,I just watched them dig their hole deeper. It was nice to see them at loggerhead. The situation got out of hand and in the end,the judge adjourned the case. ******************************* The rest of the week came in a rush as the police force finally perused the diary stolen by Royce. Percy on the other hand has been up and doing just to get back his company. The evidence had shown that he had nothing to do with Royce's drug business, making it easy for him to take the mantle of the company immediately. At first the board of directors didn't want to accept him but in the end they had to accept him. On his first day at the office after a very long time, we both stood in front of his office. It was obvious that he was happy and had this triumphant smile on his face. It took him a long time to get there and only patience could have done it. 'Finally!" He said, turning towards me. I smiled at him and nodded. 'Yes, it found its way back to you,the rightful owner. It feels good to see you radiating with a smile, Percy. You really outdid yourself," I said. 'Let's not forget your contribution towards it. If I didn't save your ass that night like Kyle had suggested, we wouldn't be here. Thank you…Bella right?" He asked and I laughed. 'Myra-Bella, whichever one you call it is fine by me. The two names are a part of me that I can't deny." 'I wish that only good things would find their ways to you now," he said and I smiled. I knew that he meant that I found peace and I sincerely hope so too. *************************** I stood hand in hand with dad as we got to my mother's grave. The tombstone had a not so fresh flower on it which I presumed he had been brought by him to mark her death anniversary. He had wanted me to accompany him that day but I simply couldn't. I wasn't ready at all. I wanted to have at least taken revenge for the wrong done to me. I sat beside her grave and traced her name boldly written on the tomb. 'I'm back mom, it took me ages but your daughter is here," I said and then began to sob. Dad moved closer to me and began to rub my back in circles. 'It's time to let go Bella. You've held on to this pain for long. Now, all you have to do is find peace. Find happiness within yourself."