Ruins Of The Glory

"I thought she was released and freed after being bailed out, but she was sent back in again just after three days of staying in ICU."

A few female inmates came and surrounded her, eying the girl as if she were a disease.

"I heard someone was after her, and didn't let her release easily."

The well-built female gang leader pulled on Verena's hair and let out a burst of sinister laughter. "What a good life this woman had! Watch me beat her to death today again!"

Verena did not even bat an eyelid. Let them beat her to death. If she was beaten to death, it would be perfect for her to reunite with her mother.

Soon, she was kicked hard in the stomach. The pain reflected how her life had turned out so badly.

...

As the women started to strip Verena off her clothing to give her a good beating again.

But before she could open all the buttons, a stern voice came from the door. "What are you doing?"

The leader flinched, her hand springing open as she let go of her shirt.

"Verena was sick and I was just concerned for her." The female gang leader instantly smiled apologetically. 

"145! Come out now!" 

Verena opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling confusedly. She thought she heard wrong number.

It wasn't until she was out of prison that she realized it was real.

She almost cried tears of joy.

"Are you Ms. Bradbury?" A man's voice asked coldly.

The man in a suit stood before Verena, and a black car was parked right behind him. Another man with shades could be seen vaguely inside the car, watching her.

She nodded. "Yes, that's me. You…"

The man did not answer but turned around and spoke politely to the man in shades seated in the car. "Young Master Louis, it's her."

"Bring her over!" The man in shades barked the words.

"Yes, sir! At once!" The man quickly replied.

Verena, who was still confused, was pushed into the car and sat next to the man in shades.

"What are you doing?" Verena shouted for the man who previously pushed her like she couldn't walk; she glared at him as he closed the door.

She wanted to open the door, but the 'irk' sounded, and the doors were locked.

She immediately felt a cold, murderous aura coming from the man beside her. She turned slowly towards him, and when she saw his face, she could only look at him.

Although he was wearing shades, half of his face was covered with them. She glanced at his hearted lips and the sharp jawline as if he just walked out of the magazine.

"I am Louis Heisenberg." The man introduced himself coldly. He looked like he was forcing himself to say so.

Verena suddenly thought his voice was familiar, but she hadn't met anyone in four years and three months. How in the world did she feel he was familiar?

Verena could not help but shiver and ask gently, "I'm going to receive my death sentence, right?" She paused, wanting to tell him.

"I know you haven't ask me but It's not me! I didn't kill him." She started, but—

"I'm taking you to get a marriage certificate, Verena!"

Why had my name rolled off his tongue like he was more than familiar with it? She thought.

Wait a minute.

WHAT THE HELL!

Her heartbeats collided with a crash.

What just did he say? She was looking at him with wide eyes, as if she couldn't grasp what he said.

"What did you say?" She thought she had heard it wrong.

He had a face that could bring disaster upon a country. He was cold and arrogant and completely matched to the women's fantasies of a domineering Vice President.

Therefore, even though she hadn't seen him all these years, Verena still recognized him now.

But why was he here?

Louis turned around and saw Verena staring at him. He frowned slightly.

...

Four years ago, the courtroom was filled with people sitting and waiting anxiously for the criminal to arrive.

Murmurs and whispers filled the air, fueled by the expectation of witnessing a horrific individual.

Suddenly, the doors swing open, and in walked Verena Bradbury, a young girl barely twenty years old.

Whispers turned into hushed gasps as the crowd laid their eyes on Verena.

Their preconceived notions of a hardened criminal vanish, replaced with shock and disbelief at the sight of this young, seemingly innocent girl.

Yet, rage and fury took hold of the room, and the whispers transformed into angry shouts.

"Is that her? That can't be the monster we were expecting!" One of the man spoke in shock.

Another person questioned in outraged, "How can someone so young be capable of such evil?"

The noise became deafening, creating a hostile atmosphere.

Verena's eyes swept across the room and lock onto the Vandeleur family, who sat prominently together, conspicuous by the absence of the person they should have been representing.

Anger welled up within Verena's chest, but she quickly looked away, unwilling to let her emotions get the best of her.

As the commotion persists, the judge firmly pounded his gavel, demanding order in the courtroom.

Gradually, silence was restored, allowing the case to begin.

The opposing lawyer, a cunning and relentless individual, approached Verena, ready to challenge her every word.

The lawyer smugly asked, "Miss Bradbury, I hope you understand the gravity of the accusations against you. Now, let's get started. How do you explain your whereabouts on the night of the incident?"

Verena took a deep breath, her eyes steady and landed on the Vandeleur family once again.

When her eyes met with Nathan Vandeleur, the oldest son of Vandeleur family.

She saw him glaring at her and she looked away getting a sign from him to speak.

"I-I was in after semester-party in a villa."

The courtroom was tense, filled with spectators eagerly anticipating the unraveling of a mysterious incident.

A skilled interrogator, stepped forward with a penetrating gaze.

He leaning on the podium and started questioning her, "Miss Bradbury, could you kindly explain what led you to attend the party that night?"

Verena slightly flustered looked at him as thinking as if she tell the truth he will believe it.

"I was invited to the party by Declan. He insisted I tag along, and since there were only a few children my age, I thought it would be a good opportunity to socialize."

Lawyer Lee raised an eyebrow and looked at the hall, "so you willingly entered the room where the incident occurred, with the knowledge that only a few children were present?"

Verena defensively responded. "Yes, but I had no intention of causing any harm. I simply wanted to join them and enjoy the evening."

Lawyer Lee once again mockingly asked. "And yet, you were found at the scene of the crime, holding the murder weapon. Can you explain that, Miss Bradbury?"

Verena eyes felt with tears but she tried to not show her emotions too much.

No body worthy for her to cry in front of them.

"He... he was harassing me. Constantly making inappropriate advances, making me feel trapped and helpless. When things escalated that night, I-I grabbed the weapon in self-defense. I never wanted it to come to this!"

"Your Honor, may I remind the court that my client has been subjected to severe mental anguish and harassment, which led to this unfortunate incident. She did not act out of malicious intent."

It was her lawyer that was given to her by the court since no lawyer wanted to work for her.

Verena knew that it was Vandeleur's working.

Lawyer Lee smirked and interjecting turned towards the judges. "Your Honor, the fact remains that the accused confessed to killing the victim. Guilty should be the only verdict."

Verena distraughtly spoke. "I... I didn't want to be in this situation, but I had no choice. It was a moment of desperation."

As her lawyer prepared to attack with more positive aims, the room erupted again.

It looked like everyone present here were bought by Vandeleur's.

Angry shouts and accusations fill the air, drowning out Verena ears.

The judge firmly pounded his gavel, demanding order in the courtroom.

The judge solemnly started speaking and Verena felt her heart stopped beating at the final call for herself.

"Miss Bradbury, the court has carefully considered both sides of this case. In light of the evidence and the emotional distress you claim to have endured, I hereby pronounce a sentence of five years of imprisonment."

Verena's face crumpled with devastation, and her lawyer's looked down as he knew there's no way he could save the young girl today.