Tanya sat frozen, her heart pounding as the judge returned to the bench, a heavy silence settling over the courtroom. He adjusted his glasses, flipping through the police report one last time before setting it down with a sigh.

  “After reviewing the evidence,” he began, his voice calm but firm, “I find there is sufficient cause to investigate Ms. Williams’ potential involvement in these crimes. Given the seriousness of the allegations and the nature of the evidence presented, I am granting the Crown’s request to amend the charges.”

  Tanya’s stomach dropped. Her lawyer shot to his feet.

  “Your Honor, this is absurd! My client was unaware of—”

  The judge held up a hand. “Mr. Calloway, you will have the opportunity to contest these charges in due process. However, the evidence suggests that Ms. Williams’ vehicle was actively used in the commission of multiple crimes, and preliminary records indicate communications between her and the suspect in question. This is not a matter I can dismiss outright.”

  Tanya’s breath came short. “Wait, what? Communications? What are you talking about?”

  The prosecutor calmly flipped through their file. “We have text messages exchanged between Ms. Williams and the suspect, referencing the vehicle and its use. We also have footage from traffic cameras placing the car near multiple crime scenes.” She paused, flipping to another page. “Additionally, during a search of Ms. Williams’ property, law enforcement recovered stolen alcohol from previous robberies in her garage. Bottles matching those stolen from at least two separate liquor store burglaries were found stored on-site.”

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  Tanya’s entire body went rigid. “WHAT?! That’s not— I didn’t put anything in my garage!”

  Calloway’s jaw clenched so tight it looked like he was about to snap his pen in half. “Your Honor, even if this information is accurate, my client has not been charged with these crimes. Allowing the prosecution to drag this into an unrelated case is beyond prejudicial—it’s an outright ambush.”

  The judge remained unmoved. “And as I said, the defense will have the opportunity to challenge these claims. But at this time, given the circumstantial connection, I am ordering that Ms. Williams be remanded for further questioning.”

  Tanya’s entire body went cold.

  The bailiff stepped forward, and for a moment, it didn’t register what was happening.

  Her lawyer turned on the prosecution. “You’re using unconfirmed allegations to railroad my client into custody. This is outrageous.”

  The prosecutor didn’t flinch. “We are following the evidence where it leads.”

  “Your ‘evidence’ is barely admissible!”

  “If your client is innocent, I’m sure it’ll come out in due time.”

  Tanya’s panic boiled over. “You can’t just—! I didn’t do anything!”

  The judge’s voice cut through the room. “Ms. Williams, I advise you to remain calm.”

  Calloway turned back to Tanya, his expression controlled, but there was a fire behind his eyes. “Don’t say another word,” he murmured. “Let me handle this.”

  But it was too late.

  The bailiff reached her side. “Ms. Williams, you will need to come with us.”

  A strangled noise escaped her throat as they pulled out the cuffs.

  “You’re ARRESTING me?!”

  Calloway slammed his briefcase shut. “We will be filing a motion for immediate review of this decision, Your Honor.”

  The judge simply nodded. “Noted. Court is adjourned.”

  The gavel struck, and just like that—Tanya’s world collapsed.

  As the bailiff led her away, she caught her lawyer’s steely gaze.

  “I’ll fix this,” he promised.

  But right now, it didn’t feel fixable at all.

  Maluck, watching from the back of the courtroom with his signature smirk, turned to Chloe. “Well, looks like things just got a little more… interesting for her.”

  ***