Chapter 6 - The Bail Hearing
The following morning at Manhattan Criminal Court, the courtroom was packed with reporters, junior associates from Daniel’s firm, and curious onlookers.
I sat in the front row beside Evelyn, wearing an elegant black suit over my chest binder, my posture straight despite the aching pain.
Daniel was led into the courtroom through the side door, wearing the same crumpled suit from the night before. His tie was missing, his hair was unkempt, and dark circles shadowed his eyes. He looked broken, terrified, and utterly stripped of his corporate vanity.
Beside him stood a frantic, mid-level defense lawyer named Marcus Vance, whom Vivian had desperately hired using the last of her emergency savings.
Vivian herself sat three rows behind Daniel, looking disheveled and frantic, her eyes shooting hatred in my direction whenever the bailiffs weren't looking.
The judge, a stern African American woman named Judge Thomas, slammed her gavel down. "Case number 4092, State of New York versus Daniel Whitmore. Charges: Felony Assault in the Second Degree, Domestic Battery, and Reckless Endangerment."
The Assistant District Attorney stood up. "Your Honor, the State requests bail be set at two hundred thousand dollars cash. The defendant engaged in a unprovoked physical attack on his spouse, causing two fractured ribs and severe internal bruising. Furthermore, we have direct, high-definition video evidence of the entire event."
Daniel’s defense lawyer jumped up frantically. "Your Honor! My client is a respected corporate attorney with no prior record! He is not a flight risk! This was an isolated domestic dispute triggered by intense martial strain—"
"Save it for trial, Counselor," Judge Thomas interrupted sharply, holding up the police file. "I have reviewed the physical medical report and the transcript of the video recording. The level of cold indifference displayed by the defendant after inflicting serious injury on his wife is appalling."
Judge Thomas looked directly at Daniel, who shrank under her gaze.
"Bail is set at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars," Judge Thomas ruled. "Furthermore, I am issuing a full, non-modifiable Order of Protection. Defendant Daniel Whitmore is to have zero contact with Claire Vance—direct, indirect, or through third parties. He is barred from entering the residence at 450 Riverside Drive. Any violation will result in immediate bail revocation and remand to custody until trial."
BANG.
The gavel fell.
Daniel turned frantically toward his lawyer. "One hundred and fifty thousand?! Marcus, I don't have that kind of cash liquid! My accounts are frozen!"
"Mr. Whitmore, your wife's legal team filed an emergency asset freeze this morning," Marcus whispered nervously. "Your joint accounts are locked until the divorce court reviews them."
Daniel whipped his head around, looking toward the spectator gallery where his mother sat. "Mom! Pay the bail bondsman! Use your savings!"
Vivien stood up, trembling. "Daniel... my savings were in the joint account with your name on it! The bank locked me out too!"
A wave of murmurs rippled through the courtroom reporters. Daniel stood frozen in the center of the courtroom as the bailiffs grabbed his arms to lead him back down to the holding cells.
May you like
He looked across the wooden railing and met my eyes.
I didn't glare at him. I didn't smile. I simply looked at him with complete, unshakeable indifference—the exact same way he had looked down at me while I lay bleeding on the marble floor.
