Chapter 3: The Trial
Eight months later, the courtroom was overflowing.
Employees.
Investors.
Reporters.
Former friends.
Everyone wanted to hear Nathan explain why.
He took the witness stand with the confidence of a man who had spent years manipulating people.
"It was an accident," he insisted.
"The freezer malfunctioned."
The prosecutor nodded.
Then played the recording.
Nathan's own voice echoed through the courtroom.
"Tomorrow they'll think it was equipment failure."
No one moved.
Next came surveillance footage showing him disabling the warehouse alarm.
Then banking records.
Then text messages discussing his plans with Vanessa.
One by one, every excuse disappeared.
Finally, the prosecutor asked quietly,
"Mr. Collins..."
"When you smiled before locking the freezer door..."
"What exactly were you celebrating?"
Nathan didn't answer.
He couldn't.
The jury deliberated for less than four hours.
The verdict came back unanimous.
Guilty of attempted murder.
Guilty of conspiracy.
Guilty of corporate fraud, forgery, and obstruction of justice.
As deputies led him away, he looked at me for the first time since the trial began.
"You ruined my life."
I met his eyes without raising my voice.
May you like
"No."
"You ruined your own."
