Chapter 17 - The Audio Evidence
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Cassandra opened her laptop on the counsel table and connected a small Bluetooth speaker. She pressed play.
The silence in the courtroom was instantly shattered by Derek’s cold, demanding voice echoing off the wood-paneled walls.
“Suzanne says she needs your card because one of her payments got stuck.”
Skylar’s recorded voice replied, firm but clearly anxious. “No, Derek. I can’t keep funding her lifestyle.”
“I wasn't asking.”
The escalating argument played out for everyone to hear. The judge’s expression grew increasingly dark as she listened to the sheer entitlement and hostility in Derek's tone.
Then came the sickening, unmistakable sound of the heavy ceramic cup shattering against the wall, followed immediately by Skylar’s agonizing, blood-curdling scream of pure pain.
Derek, sitting at the defense table, buried his face in his shackled hands.
The recording continued, capturing the most damning piece of evidence. Derek did not ask if she was okay. He did not sound surprised. He sounded vindicated.
“You see what you made me do? You either learn to respect my family, or you leave my house.”
Cassandra paused the audio. The courtroom was dead silent.
Judge Davis took off her glasses and stared directly at Derek with absolute disgust.
"An accident, Mr. Foster?" the judge asked, her voice dripping with venom. "I have sat on this bench for twenty years, and I have rarely heard a more chilling display of intentional domestic violence and coercive control."
The public defender slowly sat down, realizing his case was completely unsalvageable.
"I am granting the permanent injunction against Derek Foster," Judge Davis ruled, striking her gavel loudly. "It will remain in effect for the maximum allowable duration of ten years. Furthermore, regarding the divorce proceedings, I find that Mr. Foster committed gross financial misconduct by siphoning marital funds to his sister."
The judge looked down at her paperwork.
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"The apartment located on Biscayne Boulevard remains the sole, uncontested property of Skylar Bennett. Mr. Foster is ordered to repay thirty-five thousand dollars in misappropriated funds to Ms. Bennett, garnished from any future wages upon his release from custody."
Skylar let out a long, shuddering breath. It was a complete, unconditional victory.
