Chapter 63 Lusa's Act Unraveled
Brady was spilling the beans about Rio giving him the drug that day. Before the judge could even react, Lusa's lawyer jumped up. "You say you got drugged? Where's the proof?"
Brady shot back, "Rio's the witness! He gave me the stuff!"
"Then where is he? Bring him in to face us!"
Brady's face fell. "I don't know where Rio is."
"No witness, no proof. The defendant's words don't count as evidence!" Lusa's lawyer declared, and the judge nodded along.
Lisa and Lusa exchanged a look, victory written all over their faces. Their plan was airtight; Brady wasn't slipping away this time.
Sarah's hands were clenched tight, palms sweaty. What could she do now?
Was she really gonna watch Brady get locked up and shamed?
Antonio, on the other hand, stayed cool as a cucumber, his eyes deep and unreadable, not saying a word, making it impossible to guess what was on his mind.
As the trial wrapped up, the judge started reading the verdict. The courtroom was split, one side celebrating, the other in despair.
Just then, a rumbling noise came from above, and the floor started shaking.
Everyone freaked out. What the heck was going on?
The whole courtroom went nuts, and the judge paused the verdict but tried to keep order. "Everyone, stay calm. Bailiff, go check out what's going on!"
The rumbling got louder, and the floor shook even more. People thought they were under attack.
Outside, a helicopter landed smoothly on the open ground, causing all the commotion.
A few minutes later, a bailiff rushed back in. "Judge, there's a new witness!"
Everyone went from panicked to shocked. A witness?
The case was almost closed, and now a new witness showed up!
Soon, under everyone's watchful eyes, a guy in colorful clothes was brought in by two bodyguards in black suits.
He was decked out in loose traditional Eldoria print clothes, with beaded accessories on his neck, wrists, and ankles, in at least five or six different colors. Despite his flashy outfit, he looked scared, head down, clearly intimidated by the bodyguards.
Lusa recognized him right away. It was Rio.
She freaked out, her face going pale, hands trembling on her knees, biting her dry lips.
Hadn't she told Rio to stay far away for a while?
Why was he here? Had he turned on her?
Lusa was hit with a wave of dread, her mind spinning, unable to think straight.
Sarah and Brady recognized Rio too, the guy they'd been searching for, and hope sparked in their eyes.
They exchanged a look and nodded, understanding each other.
Sarah's heart raced, her hands clenched tight again, eager for the truth to come out.
Rio showing up now had to mean he was gonna clear Brady's name!
When did Brian find Rio, and how did he get him here?
Sarah was so focused on Rio, she didn't notice the look Antonio was giving her from the side.
Antonio watched Sarah, seeing her excitement and anticipation, a dark, unreadable look in his eyes.
With the new witness in the house, the judge announced the trial would go on. Rio took the stand, and after being sworn in, the judge signaled the lawyer to start questioning.
Brady's lawyer stepped up to Rio and asked sternly, "Please state your name and describe your association with the accused."
"My name's Rio, used to work at The Grand Horizon Hotel. I was in the banquet hall, working with Brady," Rio mumbled, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but there, avoiding Brady's eyes.
"Where were you on the night of the incident, and what were your actions? Keep in mind, providing false information in court is a serious matter!" Brady's lawyer pressed.
Rio knew he couldn't mess around, having been "reminded" before showing up.
After a moment of hesitation, he bit his lip, made up his mind, and said, "That night, I was in the banquet hall on the 18th floor of the Grand Horizon Hotel. It was Lusa's birthday party, and I was working as a waiter."
Then, Rio looked straight at the now-panicked Lusa and, with a loud voice, said, "Lusa told me to drug Brady! The day before the party, she gave me a pill and told me to slip it to Brady before the party started!"
The courtroom, already dead silent, heard Rio loud and clear. Everyone was stunned, all eyes on Lusa.
Could this be true?
If Rio was legit, then Lusa had set the whole thing up!
Most people were looking at Lusa with suspicion and judgment, but some still waited for her side of the story.
Lusa's face went pale, and she jumped up, shouting, "You're lying! Don't believe him, I'm the victim here!"
She pointed at Rio and Brady, yelling, "I don't even know you! Why are you framing me? You two must be in on this together!"
She glared at Rio, eyes blazing.
That traitor Rio! Did he know what he was doing?
He took her money, and now he was turning on her. Didn't he realize he was in deep too if the truth came out?
Seeing Lusa's denial, Rio got pissed. He pulled out his phone and looked at the judge. "I got transfer records and texts! Lusa promised me two hundred grand to drug Brady. She gave me half upfront and said I'd get the rest after Brady got busted. She also told me to quit my job and hide out abroad for at least six months!"
With both witness and evidence, Lusa was cornered.
She slumped back into her seat, her face drained of color.
Next to her, Lisa was shocked by the sudden twist. She knew Lusa was done for, but she wasn't going down with her!
She quickly stood up and stepped back, shouting, "Lusa, how could you do this?"
Lusa, trembling and too scared to respond, didn't hear a thing.
Lusa's high-priced lawyer saw the writing on the wall and bailed, glaring at her for ruining his career.
The jurors looked at Lusa with disgust, whispering among themselves.
"She really set the whole thing up. I even felt bad for her before!"
"She looks so innocent, but she's a snake!"
"We almost blamed the wrong guy! How can someone be so shameless?"
"I always knew she was trouble. Remember those scandalous photos of her online?"
The judge's gavel brought the room back to order. The female judge looked at Lusa with no sympathy, just pure disgust, and said, "Lusa, you've shown contempt for the law. I hereby charge you with false accusation and framing!"
If convicted, Lusa was looking at at least five years behind bars!
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