"I just can't stand Ben anymore." She admitted truthfully, and maybe she would have kept this information to herself if she wasn't drunk. "All he does is drink and plays video games, we don't sleep together, he hasn't touched me in almost a year I'm...
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Zachary Peterson, 33.
Detroit, MI:
The morning sun filtered through the large courthouse windows, casting long shadows across the cold marble floors. Izzy and Lilah sat side by side at the defense table, their professional demeanor a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions bubbling beneath the surface. Today wasn't just about Bryan's release—it was the first real test of everything Isabella had learned, the culmination of years of secrets now being dragged into the light. She had one shot to throw Monica off her game, she didn't want to be in business with her anymore, but the contracts she had on all the employees would mean they couldn't leave if Isabella left. She was only around for them, she knew Monica wouldn't just let them go so she would make her, or force her out.
Bryan sat beside them, his presence commanding. Despite his years in prison, he still had the aura of a man used to power. His eyes were sharp, scanning the room, but every now and then, they flicked toward Isabella, filled with an unspoken trust. If anyone could get him out of this mess, it was her, and if anybody could outsmart Monica, it was her. Monica had outsmarted everyone for years and kept Isabella out of the loop afraid of the blow back she would get if her best friend knew.
Lilah, meanwhile, sat with a calm intensity. She had been preparing for this moment, Isabella had taken her under her wing and agreed to teach her everything she knew. Yes Isabella was the one who's name was on the case, but Lilah did all the foot work. Fighting motions, filing motions, making sure Bryan was okay. Lilah was just trying to impress Isabella, but it was hard not to feel the weight of it all the tension in the room, the magnitude of the case, and the complicated emotions swirling around Monica's betrayal. For Lilah, this was just another high-profile case, but it was personal for Isabella. That added pressure was impossible to ignore.
"You ready?" Izzy asked, her voice low but steady.
Lilah gave her a small nod. "I've got this. Just follow my lead."
The judge entered, and the room fell into a hushed Bryan reach over grabbing her hand squeezing just to reassure her everything was going to be alright, Isabella didn't want to anything bad to happen to Monica simply because she still loved her. Yes Monica had hurt her, but she didn't have any room in her heart for hate for Monica, "All rise," The bailiff said and as they all stood Isabella glanced around, she saw Justin ducked off in the back. She knew Lilah was nervous about today, she would be throwing shots at Monica and Monica scared her. She really wanted to avoid any conflict with her, but she wouldn't let Izzy fight this fight alone.
Once Isabella sat back down she zoned Andrew's opening statement out, she had one person in mind, and that was Monica. She had to find a way to make her the suspect, she created enough reasonable doubt, but she want Monica to be investigated without having to be the one to call it in.
