Chapter 4: Justice Arrives
Three months later...
The courtroom overflowed with reporters.
Richard refused every plea deal.
Vanessa insisted the fall had been an accident.
Then Detective Ruiz stood.
"I'd like to present Exhibit Forty-Two."
The courtroom lights dimmed.
Video appeared.
Not from the staircase.
From Vanessa's own phone.
She had secretly recorded herself confronting Eleanor days earlier.
"I'll make everyone think you're unstable."
"No one protects weak women."
Then another recording.
Richard speaking.
"If pushing her doesn't work..."
"...there are other ways."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Vanessa burst into tears.
Richard closed his eyes.
The jury didn't need long.
After less than two hours...
Guilty.
Attempted murder.
Criminal conspiracy.
Insurance fraud.
Witness intimidation.
Multiple financial crimes.
The judge delivered decades-long prison sentences.
As officers led them away...
Richard looked at Eleanor one final time.
"You destroyed my family."
Eleanor answered quietly,
May you like
"No."
"You did."
