Chapter 67: Chapter 67

" W-what happened? Why? Why is he arrested?" Bob asked hurriedly. The concern and worry in his expression couldn't be hidden. He was a bit unsure if this was not another of Courtney's provocation. There was no telling what that evil vermin could do.

" Long story" Val answered with a sense of melancholy and a lowered head. She wasn't in the right state to talk about what had happened at the moment.

" But look! you need to find an attorney or something. Or! Or! we could convince the judge that attorney Chris was arrested in the last minute before the trial and have him adjourn the case again till you find another attorney to represent you. You have to do something quick!" Val rambled in a state of panic. The more she mentioned attorney Chris the more her heart ached, remembering she still didn't know the situation of things back in Seattle, and whether her nudes had been leaked or not.

' Another attorney?' Bob raised an eyebrow in confusion. Why would Val ask him to get another attorney to represent him? Is it that attorney Chris was in grave danger and wouldn't be able to represent him any longer?

" ..." Bob was silent, apparently lost in thought.

Mae who had been listening to everything on the side just looked towards Bob as if to figure out what he was thinking. She looked towards Val and couldn't help but feel that something was off about the blonde lady. She didn't seem too well.

Val pursed her lips, looking at Bob with a sense of urgency still in her. She knew they shouldn't be wasting time standing around like this, they had to do something quick!

Right at the moment, another luxurious car drove by and stopped a little behind Bob's.

The driver in black blazers hurried out to open the door to the back seat and stepped aside in haste.

Long slender and spotless legs of fair complexion were extended out of the car in black glossy heels. A woman of breathtaking semblance stepped out of the car in a black slit gown and jacket.

As everyone gawked at the sight of Courtney, another lady dressed in a black blouse and tight ripped black jean, who seemed younger, walked around the car to stand beside her. It was Margarette.

Just as Courtney took off her classy shades to look around, she stood she shocked to see Val, Bob, and lastly, Mae standing together without Attorney Chris being present in the distance. Maggie was also the same but didn't give much concern.

However, Courtney smirked realizing that the attorney had probably left to speak with his colleagues that he might know in the court, or busy sorting some things out.

Val frowned seeing the smirk on Courtney's face, She realized something,

' Could it be that Courtney didn't know yet that attorney Chris wouldn't be coming and that he was arrested?' It was quite a surprise to Val, since Courtney had always been a step ahead. But now, she was a step behind.

" There's no point standing around. Let's all go inside first." Bob said removing his hand from his chin. Seeing Courtney, he felt a strong sense of despise. He still hadn't forgotten the set-up, and that smirk she gave him infuriated him.

' Damn vixen!' He still hadn't stopped thinking that she was behind attorney Chris' arrest. Once again, Courtney had him dancing around in a loop. She did this every time he was close to getting ahead of her.

Val and Mae nodded and followed behind Bob into the court room, passing by several other figures who stood around.

The King County Superior Court has professional and formal design, with the courtrooms equipped with judge's benches, witness stands, jury boxes, and seating for attorneys and the public. The decor of the courtroom varies however.

Entering the court room where Bob and Courtney's divorce trial will be held, Bob and his group met sight of who seemed to be Courtney's attorney on the left side of the seating. It was a different person from the last time.

Also present were the clerk, the court reporter, and another man sitting by the right side.

" Doctor Williams!" Bob called out in astonishment. He didn't think he'd be here already.

Hearing this, Courtney who was right behind the group creased her gaze.

Bob really had a lot of people around this time, and Courtney could tell that the doctor was the one who would witness the DNA results provision.

' Tsk!' She had thought to try to fabricate evidence of the DNA test that Bob was going to do by following Bob's actions, but the latter was extremely careful with this. He didn't even show sign of conducting a DNA test.

Although, Bob had asked for Charlotte's blood and Courtney had cooperatively provided him with it. However, despite having kept watch on him afterwards, there has been no sign of him conducting a DNA test. It was as though Bob didn't intend to do so.

' Perhaps, he had it at hand before...' Courtney's prior thought was cemented by this fact.

Courtney couldn't help but roll her eyes at the fact that she'd given Bob the blood without having realized this. And now, she couldn't use the fact that he'd forcefully taken Charlotte's blood before to conduct a DNA test against him.

' Not to mind, he's still going down! By the way, where's attorney Chris' Courtney looked around with a deep frown worn on her face. She raised her arm to check her delicate wristwatch.

' He should be in the court room already...'

It was 9:29 AM.

" I thought to be here as early as i can and make my statement before there would be an emergency and have to leave. You know how my job gets" The doctor rose to greet Bob, extending his hand for a handshake.

" I'm really grateful." Bob shook his hands and urged that they all took a seat. The doctor nodded at the ladies and took a sit.

" How are you looking today? are you prepared?" Doctor Williams asked Bob with a friendly smile.

" Haah! not quite..." Bob heaved a sigh and shook his head.

" Why so?" The doctor frowned. He could tell from Bob's expression that something was wrong.

Click! Clack! clack!

Just as Bob was about to open his mouth to speak, sounds of quick footsteps was heard and he couldn't help but swallow his words. He looked behind him to see what the noise was all about just as everyone else in the court room did.

Two people in normal attire walked upfront a group of three other police officers into the court in quickened step.

Everyone else expressed surprised, but Bob's eyes widened in shock the most. A sweat broke on his forehead as he recognized the first two to be Inspector Roosen and Detective Taylor. His heart skipped a beat when he locked eyes with them,

' Could it be that they saw me at the club and are now here to arrest me?' Bob was stunned. However, he raised his brows in confusion when they looked away from him and faced Courtney instead.

" Mrs Courtney Richardson, you are under arrest for being a likely accomplice to the murder of Mr Adam Mash!" Detective Taylor bellowed as he held out a warrant.

Courtney who was previously calm suddenly frowned and looked at the officers as though they were spotting nonsense. She didn't express fear nor guilt.

" W-what is this?" Maggie was first to exclaim and Courtney's attorney echoed by standing up.

" Please, we urge anyone else to stay out of this or risk being regarded an accomplice" Inspector Roosen warned with a stern expression. Her usual flippant attitude had completely vanished as she exercised experience in her field. She was especially serious on this occasion.

When it came to an arrest of someone as influential as Courtney, a severe approach was necessary.

The whole court became dead silent as the other two officers in uniform drew close to Courtney who shot her attorney a gaze. Her whole face became evident of terror and fear as her hands shook beside her, knowing she was really going to be apprehended.

" Y-you can't do this in a court trial!" The attorney cried out in an attempt to impress.

" Attorney, We have a warrant. And there's no trial ongoing at the moment " Inspector Roosen calmly stated. She showcased her expertise and knowledge of the law with her trademark smirk.

" You sure are making a mistake right now!" Courtney stated in a shaky tone, her eyes reddened and her previous cold demeanor became that of trepidation as she was escorted out of the courtroom, with Maggie screaming behind them and the attorney trying to hold Maggie back.

Everyone stood and watched in a stupefied daze.

For the first time, Val could point out weakness in Courtney's voice. It was such a surprise to her that she had forgotten to close her mouth.

Bob was even more surprised, the police sure were reliable. He didn't think they would ever be able to apprehend Courtney this way. He was surprised as well.

His gaze creased as he cheered the police in his mind. Wife or not, Courtney had killed someone. And that person was Charlotte's biological father. Bob was of course not in support of this!

Even Mae who was under watch was slightly relieved that Courtney was being arrested like this. After having worked for her, Mae's life had never been the same. This was one of the reasons why she'd accepted Bob's offer.

But now, she could finally live freely.

Val on the other hand had heard about how Bob was set-up and framed for murder by Courtney, and could very well understand why this arrest was made.

Turns out the police finally found something that led them to Courtney's hand in the case.

The court clerk and bailiff were still at shock and were unsure of what to do when the judge walked in.

" P-please stand for the judge!" The bailiff announced, even while everyone were already standing.

Hearing this, Bob and the others turned around and smiled wryly.

...

" No!" Margarette cried out as they escorted Courtney out of the court. She followed behind the police as they took Courtney away, struggling to break free from the attorney who tried to hold her back by her hand.

With a sense of urgency in the air, the sirens from the police cars parked before the court blared loudly. While the two uniformed officers escorted Courtney, detective Taylor and inspector Roosen ensured that no one came near.

Bystanders watched from a safe distance with an intense gaze of curiosity and interest but didn't near the scene that was as alarming and climactic as a movie.

" Leave me alone!" Maggie screamed at the attorney and pushed him away. The attorney let her go not wanting to be labeled a molester.

At that moment, Maggie found an opportunity to run after Courtney who was being taken away. The attorney moved towards inspector Roosen and tried to argue his way to Courtney's aid.

Courtney's heart thumped in her chest as her whole body visibly trembled. It felt like her worst nightmare had finally come to reality.

Every night when she went to bed, Courtney would have this nightmare of finally being caught for the bad things she'd done. She'd only pushed it aside and continued with her daily life to this point due to the fact that despite all she did, she had never been caught or arrested. She'd always got away with it.

She still couldn't believe she was being arrested.

' It's all just a dream... Just a dream. I'll wake up soon... I'll wake up....' Courtney muttered to herself repeatedly like a broken tape.

Hearing the dull siren resonating along with her heartbeat in her head as well as Maggie's high pitched scream in the back, Courtney was starting to lose her mind as her PTSD kicked in. With all the accusatory stares that the bystanders gave her as she was escorted to the police car, Courtney couldn't help but shudder in fright as a sense of nostalgia-- no, an emotionally scarring memory resurfaced and played before her.

Courtney looked towards the gloomy sky that had started to spat little raindrops and made the day resemble that night that Courtney would never forget.

That night, she was being held away by the cops just as she currently was. The sirens blared in similar way and lots of screams and chatters in the background echoed in her head, the sound of her heartbeat thrummed dully in a resonant beat to the noises.

Courtney could never forget how much she'd cried that day. Looking as Madam J was being taken away. She was glad yet sad, knowing her life would never be the same without her.

Courtney looked around to see Maggie crying heavily. She looked the same as how Courtney had looked back then. Courtney shivered in fright, realizing she had turned out to be of no difference to Madam J.

It was only now that she realized the pain she had felt when Madam J was taken away. It was as though she wanted it but at the same time, it felt like everything her life depended on was being taken away. She would be free, but her life became a mess afterwards.

She could tell the obvious pain in Courtney's eyes, and she mistook it for hurt.

" No!" Courtney muttered and shook her head in denial. Her mind seemed to have snapped,

" Stay away from me! No! I hate you! All of you! Stay away! Goo!" Courtney screamed seeing the image of her younger self in Maggie. She didn't want to see herself in that state again, she never wanted to. It was the toughest moment of her life and she never wanted to experience it, never again!

Maggie who had just got shouted on harshly by Courtney stood shocked and stumped. Her eyes became watery and trembled, while her face contorted into a hurtful frown. She reached a hand out as if trying to catch Courtney but the words she just said to her hammered in her head, causing her to not near Courtney. The cruel expression that Courtney had just given her flashed in front of her, over and over again. Breaking her heart in the process.

Maggie just stood weeping at a spot and watched in a daze as Courtney was subdued by the police officers who arrested her.

A tear dropped falling from Courtney's eyes without her knowing. " Please, take me away. I don't want to be here!" Courtney begged with her eyes tight shut . She showed obvious signs of losing it.

The officers looked at inspector Roosen and detective Taylor, who gave them a knowing nod. They both shared a look before hurriedly pushing Courtney into the car before taking her away.