CHAPTER TWO

Lila’s POV

"Were you truly engaging in masked porn?" Another reporter asked.

"Did you really throw ableist slurs at deformed people, by taking a photo by a ramp and wearing the hijab as though it were an ordinary cloth?"

"No," I muttered, even though the chattering of the angry crowd drowned my voice. "I never insulted anyone, these are all lies, a setup to put my career to an end.

"Lila Hartwell, do you really abuse your manager, Miss Nora Bennett and your cook, Mrs. Rose Everton"

"Are you really on drugs? Are you really behind candy bars which have been mixed with cocaine? Lila, are you really stealing money.?"

"Tell the world and your disappointed fans the reason behind your disgusting attitude."

"Lila Hartwell, Lila Hartwell, slut, assaulter, thief, drug addict, porn star...."

All these voices drowned in my head as guards tightened their grips around my arm to prevent me from stumbling and hurting my legs. I was caught in a web of lies and there was a high chance that I wouldn't get out.

My guards finally pulled me through the raging crowd and led me into the court. The quietness was a sharp contrast to the crowd outside. Mara, my sister, was sitting at the left side of the room with the plaintiff. Her lips curved into a complacent smile as she saw me and I felt like slapping her across the face.

All of this was her handiwork, she and her jealousy. I was still staring at Mara when my eyes twitched and landed on my parents. They had also come to witness my ruin, who would have thought.

As I stepped into the courtroom, the quietness enveloped me like a shroud. The judge, a stern-looking woman with a kind face, entered and took her seat. My lawyer, Mr. Johnson, smiled reassuringly at me before turning to face the judge.

"The prosecution may proceed," the judge said, her voice firm but gentle.

The prosecutor, a tall, thin man with a sneering expression, stood up. "Your Honor, the defendant, Lila Hartwell, is accused of battery, racist slurs, and money laundering. We have evidence and witnesses that will prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

"Objection, my Lord." Mr Johnson shouted, "jumping on his feet. "Miss Lila Hartwell is a kindhearted and hardworking woman, all of this nothing but a plan made by netizens to destroy her career.

Social media has been broadcasting lies ever since the issue of the racist slur hit the internet.

Lila Hartwell worked her way into the movie industry through excessive hard work and dedication, everything against her is false."

"What about Nora Bennett?" The prosecutor asked, raising his eyebrows skeptically. " Miss Lila Hartwell here, was said to have pushed her manager off the stairs as a result of anger. Nora Bennett is currently in the hospital now, recovering from severe injuries.

When the incident occurred, she ran to Miss Mara Hartwell here for help," he gestured at my sister who twisted her lips into a complacent smirk.

"Mrs. Mara is the one who took Nora to the hospital and had her taken care of."

"But that is not true," I shouted. " I have never raised my hand to strike a fellow human before. All of this is a setup, Nora has been working with my enemies to finish me."

"If you didn't assault her," how come she's in the hospital?"

"Nora must have gone to the hospital for another cause," I answered. "I have never raised a hand at her before."

"Very well then," the judge said, adjusting his wig and his glasses. "Does Miss Hartwell have a witness to defend her?"

"Yes I do," I answered hesitantly. "My husband will defend me. He knew where I was on the day Nora claimed I injured her. He knows the source of my wealth; Declan knows who I am and he will testify to it."

"Very well then," the judge said, scribbling on my notebook in front of her. "Let the witness come forth."

I turned to Declan and flashed a warm, hopeful smile at him as my heart flooded with warmth. I loved him so much, the mere look at his face makes me happy. As Declan walked towards the court clerk I practically danced with. Happiness and victory, all of this would soon be over now.

After the oaths have been sworn, the interrogation began.

"Mr Declan Mercer," the prosecution counsel called out sternly. "What did Miss Lila Hartwell do on the 16th day of February 2024?"

"Miss Lila Hartwell conspired with a fake candy company to sell drugs to youth. She went ahead to advertise this product and promote it. When Nora Bennett confronted her to challenge her for misconduct, Lila slapped her and pushed her away."

What! Wait, is that Declan or someone else? I looked around, trying to see if another voice had spoken, but there was none, Declan himself had said those words.

"Okay," the tall woman scribbled swiftly in black file she was bearing in her arms, "what else did she do?"

Declan shrugged and looked away, "she is indeed a racist. She dislikes religious people."

"Declan," I screamed. "Why are you lying?"

"Was Miss Lila Hartwell truly engaging in pornography?"

the prosecution counsel asked again and the defense lawyer hurriedly stood up.

"Objection my lord!” he shouted, banging his fists hard on the table. All eyes turned on him instantly and the tension in the room thickened.

"All of these is a lie!”

"Miss Lila has been getting high on narcotics as well but anytime I catch her using them she would tell me she's experimenting on them."

"That is a lie," I shouted, again. "How could you do this to me Declan? I trusted you!"

"Thank you, Mr Mercer,” the prosecution counsel muttered with a small smile, "you can proceed to your seat now."

"I haven't done anything. "I said again, tears filling my weary eyes but no one heard me, the four walls of his life had begun to cave in and there seemed to be no help forthcoming, "I didn't do anything, I am innocent."

"The witness didn't lie and we all saw the illegal medicine that was smuggled into the country. There is video evidence to support Miss Nora Bennett's accusation as well as the cheque you got from the political mobsters. Miss Lila is a criminal who is not fit to be a role model to our youths. I'll hand over the rest to the honorable judge"

As the prosecution counsel folded the black file in her hand and returned to his seat with the rest of the jury members, I saw my entire life crash before my eyes. Years of hard work and perseverance were thrown away with just a statement while I could only stare in resignation.

"With all that has been said and proven" the judge raised the mighty gavel, "I hereby sentence Miss Lila Hartwell to 7 weeks imprisonment with 6 months of community services. Every of her property repossessed by the government and she is no longer to appear on public screen again."

The members of the court rose up in procession the moment the judge slammed the gavel. I thought I was still dreaming but before I could snap out of this dazing trance, I got flanked by two policemen who led me away.