Chapter 7

• Later, Julie was led back to the holding cell.
• Her steps felt heavier this time, like each one was pulling her down.
• She sat down again. Same spot. Same position. But something had changed. Before, she was confused. Now, she understood that this was real.
• And it was very serious.
• She leaned her head back against the wall, and closed her eyes.
• For a moment, she tried to imagine a way out, something, anything.
• But nothing came to her mind, her thoughts felt blocked. Like every path led to the same place.
• ……
• Across the city, Patrick’s his phone rang.
• “I have the footage,” his assistant said.
• Patrick didn’t waste time. “Send it.”
• A few seconds later, the video showed up on his screen.
• Patrick sat down and hit play.
• The video showed the hallway outside Julie’s room. The timestamp said it was from last night.
• He watched closely.
• Julie walked down the hallway with Sophie.
• She looked fine, not drunk, and she was not out of control.
• Then a staff member walked up to them.
• He said something quickly and handed them drinks.
• Patrick paused the video.
• His eyes narrowed. “Zoom in,” he muttered, even though he was alone.
• He played it again.
• The staff member didn’t look like regular hotel staff.
• Patrick kept watching.
• A few minutes later, Julie went into the room alone, then Sam went in after her.
• His face was hard to read.
• Then nothing happened for a while.
• Time passed.
• Suddenly, Helena showed up, so did her parents, and reporters. They all showed up at the same time.
• Patrick stopped the video, he gripped his phone tightly. “That’s not a coincidence,” he muttered.
• He stood up, everything was clear now.
• Someone had planned this, step by step. And the only one person who had the most to gain was Helena.
• ……..
• At the same time, his assistant’s phone rang, he looked at the screen.
• Unknown number.
• He answered.
• “Ezra.”
• A soft voice came through. “You’re moving fast.”
• His expression changed slightly. “Who is this?”
• There was a small pause, then… “You already know.”
• Ezra’s eyes darkened. “Helena.”
• A quiet laugh came from the other side. “I was wondering how long it would take you.”
• Ezra’s tone turned colder. “What do you want?”
• “Nothing,” she replied. “Just watching.”
• Ezra said nothing.
• “Tell me,” she continued. “Do you think you can save her?”
• Silence filled the other side.
• Then Ezra spoke. “Yes.”
• His answer was simple but direct, and it was filled with certainty.
• Helena hummed softly. “That’s the confidence… I like it.”
• Ezra’s grip on the phone tightened. “You made a mistake,” he said.
• “Oh?” she replied lightly.
• There was a pause.
• “You think this ends in court?” Ezra said calmly
• Helena’s voice softened. “No,” she said. “This ends where I decide.”
• The call ended.
• Ezra lowered the phone slowly. His eyes were very cold. “She’s enjoying this,” he said.
• He has never been disrespected in all his years as Patrick’s assistant, she was the first one.
• His phone rang again.
• Patrick.
• He answered immediately.
• “Find out who that hotel staff member was,” he said. “The one who gave Julie the drink,” he said coldly.
• “Yes, sir,” he replied.
• “And Helena called,” he continued after a pause.
• Patrick nodded. “Let her enjoy for now,” he said, he looked back at the screen.
• Then spoke quietly, “But not for so long.”
• ….
• Back in the cell, Julie opened her eyes slowly.
• She did not know how much time had passed, It did not matter anymore.
• A voice called her name.
• “Julie Williams.”
• She sat up.
• An officer stood there again. “It’s time.”
• Her heart skipped. “Time for what?” she asked herself, but she already knew.
• She stood slowly, her legs felt weak. But she forced herself to walk.
• “This was it, the moment everything would be decided,” she thought.
• And she had no one, except that one promise. “I’ll handle it.”
• Patrick’s voice echoed in her mind.
• Julie took a deep breath, and walked forward. She knew that no matter what happens next, there is no turning back now.
• ……
• The courtroom felt larger than she expected.
• Every step she took made a soft sound on the smooth floor. It made her feel like anyone could hear how fast her heart was beating.
• People were already seated, waiting.
• Some whispering quietly to each other, and others staring at her openly.
• Julie lowered her gaze, she did not want to see their faces.
• She already knew how they saw her.
• Not as a victim, or someone confused and lost.
• To them, she was a criminal and guilty.
• They’d already made up their minds about her.
• “Move.” The officer beside her guided her forward.
• She walked to the middle of the room and slowly looked up.
• That’s when she saw them. Her father was sitting there calmly right next to Helena, acting like nothing had happened. Like everything was normal.
• Julie’s steps slowed, her chest tightened.
• For a moment, she forgot where she was, she forgot everything, and all she saw was her father Henry Salvador.
• The man she had spent her whole life hoping would look at her differently one day.
• He did not look at her, not even once. His eyes remained forward, cold and distant.
• Julie felt something inside her sink still… Even now… she still had hoped.
• She swallowed hard and her eyes moved to Helena.
• Her stepsister looked weak. Her arm was supported by a sling, her face was pale, but her eyes were sharp watching Julie closely.
• Then, Helena smiled, just slightly.
• No one else noticed, but Julie did.
• And in that moment, everything became clear to Julie, this was not just an accusation.
• This was planned—a trap she had already fallen into.
• Julie looked away quickly, her hands tightened into fists.
• She was led to the defendant’s stand.
• The word echoed in her mind.
• “Defendant.”
• It felt strange and unreal, like it did not belong to her.
• “Court is now in session.”
• The judge entered.
• Everyone stood.
• Julie followed, her legs felt stiff.
• Then they all sat down again.
• Julie stayed still, her breathing steady but forced.
• The judge looked through some documents. Then he raised his head.
• “Julie Williams,” he called.
• Her name sounded different in that room.
• “Yes…” she answered softly.
• “You are being charged with attempted murder, illegal use of substances, and assault,” the judge said calmly.
• “How do you plead?” he continued calmly.
• Julie’s throat went dry, she swallowed hard. “Not guilty,” she said, her voice almost failed her, but she forced it out.
• The words were simple, but they carried everything she had left.