Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 233

Chapter 233: Divorce Battle; First Court Hearing

~Three Days Later~

The courtroom was thick with tension, the air so heavy it seemed to muffle the faint murmurs from the small gathering of spectators.

Olivia sat at one end of the polished wooden table, her designer suit tailored to perfection. Despite her flawless appearance, her narrowed eyes and stiff posture betrayed her simmering anger.

Across from her sat Owen, his sharp jaw clenched, his dark suit reflecting his sombre mood. His lawyer whispered something to him, but his focus was locked on Olivia, a blend of disgust and defiance in his gaze.

The judge, a stern-faced woman in her mid-fifties with salt-and-pepper hair, adjusted her glasses and struck the gavel.

“This court is now in session. The case of Olivia Swift versus Owen Scott will proceed. Both parties are reminded to remain respectful and let the lawyers present their cases without interruptions. Any verbal confrontation will not be tolerated.”

Olivia’s lawyer, a polished man with greying temples and a commanding presence, stood first. He approached the bench with practiced grace.

“Your Honor, my client, Olivia Swift, has endured immeasurable pain and suffering during her marriage to Mr. Owen Scott. She has been subjected to emotional abuse, public humiliation, and the devastating loss of her pregnancy—caused by Mr. Scott’s negligence and violence.”

Olivia dabbed at the corner of her eye with a tissue for dramatic effect, ensuring the small crowd witnessed her ‘distress.’

The lawyer continued, “In light of these injustices, Ms. Swift is seeking an equitable resolution—specifically, half of Mr. Scott’s assets—as compensation for the damage he has inflicted on her mental health, her reputation, and her future.”

As murmurs rippled through the room, Owen’s lawyer, a sharp-eyed woman with a no-nonsense demeanour, rose to her feet. Her tone was calm but edged with steel. “Your Honor, my client, Mr. Owen Scott, categorically denies these accusations. Not only is Ms. Swift’s claim baseless, but it is also a calculated attempt to exploit my client’s success for personal gain.”

Owen leaned back in his chair, his lips pressing into a thin line as his lawyer spoke.

She continued, “Ms. Swift entered this marriage knowing full well that there was no love between them. Her actions have been nothing short of manipulative, damaging Mr. Scott’s reputation and leaving him no choice but to file for divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences and the toxic environment she created.”

The judge nodded. “Very well. Let’s hear from the parties directly. Ms. Swift, you may speak first.”

Olivia rose gracefully, her eyes brimming with practised sorrow as she approached the witness stand. Once sworn in, she began her tirade.

“Owen ruined my life, Your Honor,” she said, her voice trembling just enough to sound sincere. “He humiliated me, not just privately, but publicly. While I was at home trying to be a good wife, he was out cavorting with mistresses and making headlines on gossip blogs.”

Owen’s jaw tightened, but he held his tongue.

Olivia sniffled delicately. “And as if that wasn’t enough, his violent temper caused me to lose our child. I lost my chance to ever be a mother because of him!” Her voice broke as she wiped at her eyes.

‘Owen, you just wait. I will drag you to filth. You haven’t seen anything yet!’ Olivia thought to herself. She was out here fighting for her rights and couldn’t be bothered by her Aunt’s reminder to behave.

The courtroom fell silent, save for the scribbling of reporters’ pens and the faint clicking of the stenographer’s machine.

“I am not asking for anything unreasonable,” Olivia continued, her tone hardening. “I am simply demanding what I deserve—half of everything he owns. That is the least he can do after ruining my life entirely.”

—

When it was Owen’s turn to speak, he rose with measured composure, though his clenched fists betrayed the storm brewing beneath the surface.

If Olivia thought she could have her way outrightly stealing half of his blood and sweat, then she was dreaming!

“Your Honor,” Owen began, his voice steady but laced with anger, “Miss Swift here is a liar and an emotional manipulator. She didn’t marry me out of love; she married me to destroy my life. And now, she’s sitting here, demanding half of everything I’ve worked for? She doesn’t deserve a single penny!”

Olivia’s eyes flared, and she opened her mouth to respond, but the judge raised a hand, silencing her.

Owen continued, his tone rising. “This is the same woman who ruined my reputation, dragged my name through the mud, and cost me my position at my family’s company. She knew exactly what she was doing when she agreed to marry me, and now she’s playing the victim!”

He turned to face Olivia directly, his voice venomous. “You want to talk about humiliation? What about you? You paraded around as my wife while plotting behind my back, and now you have the audacity to claim I’m the one who destroyed you?”

Olivia shot to her feet, her face flushed with rage. “You did destroy me, Owen! Don’t act like a saint when you were the one cheating on me with every woman you could find! You embarrassed yourself, not me!”

Owen scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, please. Don’t pin your failures on me, Olivia. If anyone embarrassed this marriage, it was you! You ruined my life and had the nerve to keep blaming—.”

“ENOUGH!” the judge bellowed, slamming her gavel. “This court will not tolerate such outbursts! Both of you, sit down immediately!”

Reluctantly, Olivia and Owen returned to their seats, their glares sharp enough to cut glass. They would have been ready to tear each other into two pieces if it hadn’t been for the judge’s intervention.

—

Owen’s lawyer stood, her expression calm but firm. “Your Honor, I’d like to remind the court that Ms. Swift has provided no concrete evidence to support her claim of emotional abuse or financial entitlement. Furthermore, we will be presenting counter-evidence that discredits her allegations of infidelity.”

Olivia’s lawyer rose next, his tone equally assertive. “Your Honor, my client has provided sufficient evidence of Mr. Scott’s extramarital affairs, which have been publicly documented. We demand that these claims be taken seriously in this case.”

The judge rubbed her temples, her patience clearly wearing thin. “Both parties will have the opportunity to submit evidence and testimony at the next hearing. For now, this court is adjourned.”

As the gavel struck, the tension in the room remained palpable. Olivia shot one final glare at Owen before turning on her heel and stalking out of the courtroom, her lawyer trailing behind her.

Owen stayed seated for a moment, his eyes hardening as he watched Olivia disappear through the courtroom doors.