Chapter 7 - The Witness Who Knew Too MuchThe prosecution’s star witness took the stand on the second day of the trial.
It wasn't a police officer. It wasn't a doctor.
It was Elena, Derek and Chloe’s former childhood nanny and executive housekeeper of five years, who had quietly resigned six months before the incident and been placed under state witness protection by Skylar’s team.
"Ms. Rossi, please tell the court what you witnessed during your employment at the Evans household," Victoria Vance instructed, walking calmly toward the witness box.
Elena took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the microphone. "Mr. Evans... he was a tyrant behind closed doors. But it wasn't just him. It was a dynamic. Miss Chloe would demand luxury items—cars, designer bags, vacations—and if Mr. Evans couldn't afford them because Skylar kept her personal business accounts locked tight, he would rage."
She turned her head to look directly at Derek, who was glaring daggers at her from the defense table.
"I saw him punch holes in drywall because Skylar wouldn't sign a blank check for Chloe's birthday party," Elena continued, her voice gaining strength. "I heard him tell Chloe, 'Don't worry, once I figure out how to forge her digital signature on the corporate transfer forms, we won't need her permission for anything anymore.'"
A collective gasp swept through the courtroom gallery. Flashbulbs from cameras outside the windows flickered like lightning.
Miller scrambled to his feet, shouting, "Hearsay! Speculation! Unsubstantiated claims!"
"Not hearsay, Your Honor," Victoria said calmly, sliding a heavy digital drive toward the judge's bench. "We have cloud-synced audio recordings from the smart-home hub in the master bedroom, capturing Mr. Evans explicitly discussing identity theft and asset stripping with his sister, complete with timestamped logs."
Judge Harrison tapped his gavel. "Objection overruled. Play the audio, Counsel."
The courtroom fell deathly silent. A moment later, the harsh, unmistakable voice of Derek filled the courtroom speakers:
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"Just wait until her next venture payout clears. I'll route fifty grand through the shell company. If she asks questions, I'll tell her she's going crazy and gaslight her until she drops it. She's too nice to fight back."
Derek dropped his head into his shackled hands, his shoulders shaking. The illusion was shattered. The mask was gone. Everyone in that room—from the jury to the reporters—saw him for what he truly was: a parasite, a thief, and a violent coward.
