At the defense table, Zachary Kang swayed, nearly sliding out of his chair.
Extortion.
If this were merely a case of false accusation, Veronica Weiss would simply fall from accuser to defendant.
But extortion meant something far worse.
It meant this case was no longer about clearing a name — it was about exposing a premeditated criminal scheme.
And Zachary, who had stood so confidently beside her from the beginning, didn't even dare imagine what that meant for his own future.
"You—you're making things up!"
Veronica screamed, her voice sharp but hollow, panic leaking through every word.
"You're framing me! I didn't do this! We didn't!"
The livestream detonated.
"Holy shit, there's MORE?"
"This isn't a trial anymore — it's a massacre."
"Extortion is a felony. They're done."
"Lucas Carter is dismantling them alive."
Behind Lucas, Lily trembled, adrenaline surging through her veins.
Watching her boss force the opposition step by step into collapse was intoxicating.
At the bench, Judge Sullivan struck the gavel, his voice cold and controlled.
"Defense, present your evidence."
"Yes, Your Honor."
Lucas nodded once and glanced back.
Lily forced her shaking hands steady and removed the third USB drive, passing it to the bailiff.
Moments later, a distorted male voice filled the courtroom speakers — clearly altered by a cheap voice changer.
Distorted Voice: "Is this Ethan Walker?"
Ethan (confused): "Who is this?"
Voice: "Doesn't matter. Veronica Weiss is your girlfriend, right? You slept with her last night?"
Ethan (angry): "We're in a consensual relationship. What are you trying to say?"
In the gallery, Mark Donovan stiffened.
Cold sweat instantly beaded across his forehead.
Veronica turned sharply toward him, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
The recording continued.
Voice (sneering): "Shut up. My sister said she didn't want it — and you forced her."
"So what now? Public, or private?"
Ethan: "I didn't do anything wrong."
Voice: "Fine. Then listen carefully."
"Thirty thousand dollars."
"Pay it, and this disappears. If not, we go straight to the police and accuse you of rape."
Ethan: "That's extortion. I'm not paying a cent."
Beep.
The recording ended.
The courtroom fell into suffocating silence.
This wasn't righteous outrage.
This was failed blackmail followed by retaliation.
Lucas's voice cut cleanly through the tension.
"Your Honor."
"This call occurred two hours before Ms. Weiss filed her police report."
"We have submitted certified call records and cellular location data verifying the timing."
He didn't pause.
"We now request admission of a fourth piece of evidence."
The projector lit up.
A bank transfer record appeared on screen.
Sender: Mark Donovan
Recipient: Ryan Cole
Amount: $5,000
Time: Ten minutes after the call ended
And beneath it, unmistakably clear:
— Kickback
The courtroom erupted.
This wasn't speculation.
This was profit-sharing.
"Aaaah!"
Veronica snapped.
She lunged at Mark, nails clawing across his face like a cornered animal.
"You extorted him?! You used me?!"
Blood streamed as he shoved her away in terror.
"I didn't plan it alone!"
He pointed wildly.
"It was Ryan! He set everything up! The voice changer, the money — he told me what to do!"
Two conspirators turned on each other.
Live.
Judge Sullivan slammed the gavel.
"Enough!"
"Bailiffs — separate them!"
Lucas stood calmly amid the chaos.
When silence barely returned, he raised his hand one final time.
"Your Honor."
Judge Sullivan looked at him, exhaustion etched deep into his face.
"To fully uncover this conspiracy and identify every participant—"
"We previously filed a motion approved by this court."
"Please summon the key witness."
"The individual who carried out the extortion and received the $5,000 payment."
Lucas's voice rang through the courtroom.
"Ryan Cole, take the stand."