Chapter 6 - The Truth on the Screen
The silver remote made a soft sound when Colton lifted it.
Judith’s confidence vanished.
“Colton, put it down.”
He walked toward the television.
Elena held Sophie, uncertain what he intended to do.
Colton stopped beside the fireplace and faced Judge Alden.
“She said you cared about the truth.”
“I do,” the judge replied.
Colton pointed the remote at the television.
“Should I show everyone what she told me to hide?”
Trevor rose.
“Give me the remote.”
Judge Alden raised one hand.
“Remain where you are.”
Trevor stopped.
Colton pressed the power button.
The television screen illuminated.
The file name Christmas Project appeared.
Judith lunged.
Elena stepped in front of her.
“Turn it off!” Judith shouted.
Colton pressed play.
The recording began.
At first, the guests seemed confused.
Then Judith’s voice mentioned Margaret’s will.
The confusion became horror.
Trevor collapsed into his chair.
Elena listened as the recording confirmed every fear she had carried for six years.
Margaret had not died in debt.
She had left Hawthorne Villa, her investments, and the majority of her estate to Elena.
Judith had replaced part of the will.
Trevor had helped create a false loan agreement.
They had stolen not only property but Elena’s ability to understand her mother’s final intentions.
When the recording reached the discussion about declaring Elena unstable and taking her children, Elena felt something inside her become completely still.
She had expected betrayal.
She had not expected a plan.
Judge Alden requested that the recording be paused.
“Has this file been altered?” he asked Colton.
“No.”
“Where is the original?”
“In my school storage account.”
“Do you know whether it records a date and time?”
“Yes.”
“Do not delete anything.”
Judith scoffed.
“A child’s recording is meaningless.”
“It is evidence,” Judge Alden replied. “Its admissibility will be determined properly.”
He took out his phone.
Judith’s face tightened.
“Who are you calling?”
“The police.”
Trevor stood again.
“That isn’t necessary.”
Judge Alden looked at him with deep disappointment.
“You participated in the fabrication of legal documents. You concealed a will and threatened the beneficiary through her children. It is entirely necessary.”
Judith turned toward the guests.
“You are all in my home. You will not allow this humiliation.”
No one answered.
Her brother looked down.
Her business partner moved away from her chair.
Even the servants remained still.
Judith had spent decades building obedience through fear.
But fear weakened when witnesses finally realized they were not alone.
Elena carried Sophie toward the foyer.
Colton followed.
Trevor ran after them.
“Elena, wait.”
She turned beside the Christmas tree.
“You planned to take my children.”
“I never agreed to that.”
“You asked which doctor.”
Trevor flinched.
“I was trying to calm her.”
“You helped steal my inheritance.”
“My mother said the company would collapse if we didn’t use the villa as collateral.”
“So you chose her company over your wife.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“It was exactly like that.”
Trevor lowered his voice.
“We can fix this.”
Elena looked at Colton and Sophie.
“No. We can end it.”
She removed her wedding ring.
May you like
She placed it on the table beside Sophie’s handmade card.
Then she took her children and walked into the storm.
