Chapter 8 - NATALIE TAKES THE STANDMISTRESS CONFESSES: "He Told Me to Pull the Plug!"
The preliminary hearing for Dominic Bennett’s criminal fraud and conspiracy charges turned into a national media spectacle. News cameras lined the courthouse steps as reporters shouted questions about the disgraced tech CEO who tried to ruin the Vance heiress.
Inside the crowded courtroom, the prosecution called their star witness.
Natalie stepped up to the witness stand, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, her posture completely broken. She refused to even look at Dominic, who sat at the defense table looking panicked.
"State your name for the record," the prosecutor directed.
"Natalie Croft," she squeaked.
"Ms. Croft," the prosecutor began, "did Dominic Bennett instruct you to enter Audrey Vance's residence to steal personal items?"
"Yes," Natalie sobbed, wiping her nose. "He told me Audrey was going to die in the hospital anyway, so everything in the house was already ours. He said... he said if the babies survived, we would put them in a cheap foster care facility or let the state take them so we wouldn't have to pay for their preemie medical bills."
Gasp of horror erupted across the gallery. Dominic jumped up from his seat. "She’s lying! She’s a lying snake!"
"Order in the court!" the judge shouted, slamming the gavel.
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Natalie turned to the judge, her voice shaking uncontrollably. "I have audio tapes! Dominic recorded a call with his uncle, Richard Vance! They discussed paying off an attending nurse at Saint Aurelia to delay Audrey’s C-section so she would suffer complications!"
The entire courtroom erupted into absolute chaos. Reporters rushed for the doors to broadcast the bombshell news. Dominic collapsed into his chair, his face ghostly white, realizing that his life was officially over.
