The recess ended and court was back in session. The Judge banged his gavel. Alright call the next person.
The prosecutor called the next name. We like to call Warren Graham to the stand.
Chloe actually sweated a bit. Shit ass hat is going to tear me a new one!
When Warren sat down The prosecutor asked. So Mr. Graham. Do you know Miss Price here?
Warren nodded. Yeah i do.
And can you please tell us what your honest opinion is on miss Price?
Warren took a deep breath before answering. I never knew her personally but i heard the stories like everyone else, when she and Kate first started hanging out i was scared she hurt Kate in some way.
The prosecutor smiled. Really? You think she's a risk to her own girlfriend?
Warren shook his head. I said "first starting" now though... Ive seen how Chloe Makes her happy, how well she takes care of Kate, she's changed for the better...Kate Chloe im sorry for my behavior i was just trying to blame Chloe for Max's death because i cared about her so much but i now know it was wrong.
Chloe and Kate smiled a bit. Apology accepted ass hat.
Warren snickered. I guess i deserve to be called that.
Both the Prosecutor and Victoria's father were starting to get agitated. You may take your seat now Mr Graham...
Your honor id like to call Vanessa Caulfield to the stand. Everyone turned to the court doors to see Vanessa and Ryan enter. Chloe watched as Ryan sat down and Vanessa took her seat. Mrs. Caulfield. Do you know why your here today?
Vanessa nodded and spoke softly. Yes.
The prosecutor continued. How well do you know Chloe?
Vanessa smiled a little. Very well, she and my..daughter Maxine were two pea's in a pod if you saw one the other wasn't far behind but after we moved to Seattle things changed.
The prosecutor paced slowly. How so?
Vanessa sighed. They had a fight, Chloe wanted her to stay but Max really didn't have much of a choice..they never spoke to each other again after that day, Ever since then My baby girl was always so depressed especially at the beginning and when i stayed in touch with Joyce she said Chloe was the same way but...then her father died soon after and i guess..that was the breaking point.
The prosecutor stopped pacing and asked. So after so many years she came back right?
Vanessa nodded. She wanted to be a photographer she was very talented..i was hoping she and Chloe would make up as well.
The prosecutor continued. But instead you lost her because of Chloe's childish actions correct? Do you blame her for your daughters death?
The room went completely silent waiting for the answer. The Vanessa started weeping. Yes..at first i did but you got to understand i just lost the most precious thing in my life after i heard how it happened i did blame Chloe..i needed to point the pain somewhere but...It wasn't long when i discovered it wasn't her fault at all, Chloe loved Max and Max loved Chloe in the same way, Chloe is like a second daughter to me i could never fully put all the blame on her, my baby girl may be gone but she saved Chloe's life and i couldn't be more proud of her heroic actions, and i wish we weren't here doing this right now, there are murders and rapists and whack jobs on the loose but your going to try and put someone as innocent as Chloe in prison because of a few dumb decisions she made while in grief? You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Chloe wiped the tears out of her eyes as Vanessa finished her speech. Vanessa thank you so much and again im so sorry.
Victoria held Kate as she tried to keep her emotions in check but she did glance over to her father and smirked seeing the anger on his face. Not going in your favor is it? jackass...
The prosecutor went before the jury with his final plea. Ladies and gentleman of the jury, i know you think that miss Price has changed, maybe she has, BUT, maybe she hasn't, look at what she's done during her teen years and think about what she could do later on in life. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement please do the right thing dont put someone who's so unstable back out on the streets.
The prosecutor sat back down at his desk and Chloe nervously stood up and began her plea. I will admit..iv'e done a lot of stupid stuff over the years and i regret everyone of them..I felt so alone, i know i had my mom but she was also in pain to then when David came along..i didn't want t trouble her with my problems when she was finally moving on. He will never be my dad but..he makes my mom happy so i can tolerate it. Chloe turned and smiled a bit at David who smiled back with a nod and she continued. I didn't know what else to do, i turned to drugs to help with the grief, jumped from relationship to relationship trying not to feel so alone anymore, i started acting out and even got kicked out of school just for attention..for someone to notice me...Then when Max died in my arms because of a situation i put myself in..I wanted to die i even took David's gun and went to the beach to look at the horizon one last time before blowing my brains out..but before i did i saw the most beautiful Angel i ever laid eyes on her name is Kate Marsh. She saved me from the pain, from the grief, the loneliness she made me smile like i haven't smiled since i was a kid. She changed me and i never ever want to go back to before i met her, because now im happy with a amazing mom a good step father an awesome boss with an awesome job, two amazing girlfriends and i even made a new best friend while in the slammer. The old Chloe everyone talked about is gone and i promise she's never coming back. Besides my girlfriend Victoria would kick my ass if that happened. Chloe finished with a smirk and the room went into silent laughter as Victoria shook her head with an amused smile.
Chloe went back to her spot and waited as the jury left to decide her fate...
When they came back everyone was silent as juror #1 stood up. Has the jury reached a verdict? The judge asked.
He nodded. We have your honor.
Alright, on all accounts including manslaughter how do you find?
The juror took a breath and answered. We find the defendant..guilty.
Everyone in the court room gasped. Victoria tried not to break down while holding onto Kate who was going to go berserk soon. Joyce cried into David's arms as did Vanessa with her husband. Mitch looked ready to burst into tears. Chloe just sat there in shock. How?..do i really deserve this? but i..no.
The judge raised a questioning brow. That's your final verdict?
The juror nodded nervously. Yes your honor.
The Judge sighed. Alright we'll have a sentence trial next week, court is.
Before he could finish one of the Jurors stood up and yelled. Stop!
Everyone looked over at her. The juror sitting next to her whispered. Don't! we'll get in huge trouble!
She shook her head in anger. I don't care this is wrong!
Then Victoria's father stood up. Just finish your sentence your honor put this girl away for good!
The woman pointed at him. You sick bastard i cant even believe i went through with this to begin with!
The judge banged his gavel. Order! now what is going on!?
The juror continued. He bribed all of us with big checks if we found Chloe guilty.
Everyone gasped then all angry eyes turned to Victoria's father. Lies i did no such thing!
The woman pulled out a check from her wallet. Here it is a check for 5 grand with his signature!
Victoria sneered. You dirty cheating son of a bitch!
The bailiff took the check and handed it to the judge and he narrowed his eyes. Mr. Chase you do know how serious of a crime this is don't you?
He backed away a bit. I don't know what your taking about!
The judge banged his gavel. Bailiff take this trash to hold up we'll see how he likes it on the other end of the system.
The bailiff and a few officers were more than happy to do that. He kicked and yelled as they dragged him away. You fucking dykes i swear i will have your fucking heads for this!
When he was gone the Judge groaned. I dont get paid enough for this. Apologies Miss. Price, with what ive seen i'll make the final verdict. I hereby find Chloe Price not guilty on all charges AND will be paid the same amount from Mr. Chase with the money he used to bribe the jury as an apology from the court and the justice system. Case. is. closed!
And with that he banged his gavel one last time and everyone in the room cheered. Chloe had the biggest smile on her face as tears of joy rained down her cheeks. Chloe!
She turned and was mauled by her loved ones. She was in a group hug with her mom, David, Kate, Victoria, Ryan, Vanessa, Warren, and Mitch. Im so glad that its over! Kate cried.
Mitch smirked. And jut so you know Price just because you got rich doesn't mean you can quit.
I knew we win i knew it im sorry this happened to begin with! Victoria cried.
I'm so proud of Chloe i love you and i always will. He mom said soothingly.
Chloe couldn't fight the water works. Come on guy's this is embarrassing! Your all ruining my punk image! I won i hella won, and i got alot of cash on top of it,..the old me would have been blown away from the cash but now...i dont care about it all i care is the family and friends that are with me right now nothing could beat that.
