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00:00Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
00:29No, this can't be!
01:00I glanced at the gallery.
01:01My new neighbors whispered.
01:02Their eyes dripped with disgust.
01:04Mrs. Patterson was shaking her head.
01:05The Johnsons turned their faces away completely.
01:08Just last week, these people were all smiles at the neighborhood barbecue.
01:10They couldn't wait to welcome a tech mogul to the block.
01:12When they heard I had a son, a bodybuilding champion, no less, they practically tripped
01:16over themselves.
01:17He must be such a fine young man!
01:20Harper, you are so lucky to have raised such an outstanding child.
01:23But the next afternoon, Brenda was standing on my front porch.
01:26Harper, you need to get out here and deal with this!
01:29She was holding Tiffany in her arms.
01:31The girl was covered in bruises, looking like she'd just come from the emergency room.
01:35Brenda's voice could shatter glass.
01:36Your body made her son did this!
01:38Her scream shattered a rare moment of peace.
01:40I had just closed a major deal.
01:42My son never left the house.
01:43Don't play dumb with me!
01:44Tiffany lifted her head weakly, tears in her eyes.
01:47Last night, in the backyard, Cooper, he was terrifying.
01:53What exactly happened?
01:54He tried to force himself on me.
01:56Five million.
01:57Settle this privately, or we go to court and show the whole world what kind of monster you
02:02raised.
02:02I watched their little show.
02:03I rolled my eyes in frustration.
02:05I refuse.
02:06What?
02:06Brenda clearly hadn't expected that.
02:08I said, I refuse.
02:10If you want money, I'll see you in court.
02:11I shut the door on your faces.
02:13Thinking back, I knew I'd made the right choice.
02:16Gavin ignored my words and opened a file.
02:18Your Honor, I would like to present the court with photos of Miss Tiffany's injuries.
02:20A picture of Tiffany appeared on the large screen.
02:23She was wearing a neck brace.
02:24Her right arm was in a cast.
02:25There were clear scrapes on her face.
02:27The jury gasped.
02:28Gavin pointed at the screen.
02:29What do these injuries tell us?
02:31They tell us how terrifying the attacker's strength was.
02:35How brutal his methods were.
02:37He brought up another photo.
02:38It was blurry, taken in the dark on a cell phone.
02:40In the picture, a man's back was turned as he seemed to lunge at a woman on the ground.
02:44This was taken by a neighbor who heard the screams.
02:47It's blurry, but we can clearly see an assault in progress.
02:50Angry murmurs filled the gallery.
02:52That's just sick.
02:53Rich kids are all the same.
02:54What kind of parenting is that?
02:56I was wrong to praise him before.
02:57My phone buzzed on the table.
02:59A stock alert.
03:00The company was down another 3%.
03:02Look at her!
03:03The girl is half dead, and she's checking her stocks!
03:06What kind of mother raises a kid like that?
03:08Does she think money makes her better than us?
03:10Gavin shot me a smug smug.
03:11He turned back to the jury.
03:12Her attitude says it all.
03:14She thinks her money can wash away her son's sins.
03:17Judge banged his gavel.
03:19Order!
03:20But it did nothing to stop the storm on social media.
03:23Justice for Tiffany had 50,000 retweets in 3 hours.
03:25Everything was going according to their script.
03:27Now, I would like to ask Miss Tiffany to describe for us, in her own words, that horrific night.
03:32Tiffany slowly stood up, walking to the witness stand with a tremor in her step.
03:36Every move seemed painful, difficult, as if the slightest motion would tear her wounds open.
03:40She sat down, took a deep breath, and her eyes welled up with tears again.
03:43I'll never forget those eyes.
03:46They were filled with, with a beastly rage.
03:49Cooper looked at me like, like, like an animal staring at its prey.
03:54Miss Tiffany, good acting.
03:56My phone buzzed once more.
03:57Another stock alert.
03:58The drop had widened to 5%.
04:00I glanced at the screen, my expression unchanged.
04:02My calm seemed to break her.
04:03Tiffany shot up from the witness stand, her finger trembling as it aimed at me.
04:07You!
04:08I'm reliving a nightmare up here, and you're worried about your money?
04:11Do you have any idea what I've been through?
04:13I was going to be a model!
04:15Your son ruined me!
04:17He completely ruined me!
04:19Gavin rushed to her side to calm her down.
04:21Tiffany, deep breaths.
04:23Just tell your story.
04:24The court will get you justice.
04:26Go on, dear.
04:27Tell everyone what happened that night.
04:29I was just, I was just taking a walk in the backyard.
04:31Cooper just appeared out of nowhere.
04:33I think he was drunk.
04:34He knocked me onto the grass.
04:36And then?
04:38He was so strong.
04:40Unnaturally strong.
04:42I could feel his breath on my neck.
04:44I screamed for help, and he started hitting me!
04:47And then?
04:48I watched Tiffany's performance peeking.
04:50She looked ready to faint.
04:51There was blood everywhere.
04:51I thought I was going to die right there.
04:53I remained perfectly still, my face calm.
04:55But in my head, I was already picking apart the holes in her story.
04:58Unnaturally strong.
04:59Tried to bite her neck.
05:00Breath, like an animal.
05:01Interesting.
05:02I found the loophole in her story.
05:03Wait.
05:03My voice was quiet, but it sliced through the noise.
05:06The room went silent.
05:07May I interrupt?
05:07The judge frowned.
05:08The defendant has counseled.
05:09I'd like to ask the questions myself.
05:11Miss Tiffany, I'd like to confirm a few details.
05:14Then, I request that my son Cooper be brought in.
05:17Gavin shot to his feet.
05:19Objection!
05:20The defendant is intimidating the victim!
05:25It's obvious you've never even sawn my son.
05:28If you had, you would have come up with a much better lie.
05:31I ignored Gavin's objections and looked at the judge.
05:34Your honor, I simply wish to clarify a few technical points.
05:37The judge eyed me.
05:38Allowed.
05:39But be respectful.
05:40I walked toward Tiffany.
05:41My composure was clearly making her nervous.
05:44You said he tore at your clothes.
05:46And those marks on your neck?
05:47You said he bit you?
05:49Tiffany stared at me, confused.
05:50What are you talking about?
05:52Think about it.
05:53A man in a rage uses his fists.
05:57He rips and tears with his hands.
06:01An animal bites.
06:03An animal acts on pure instinct.
06:06You're describing an animal attack, not a human one.
06:09Gavin leaped up again.
06:11Objection!
06:11The defendant is humiliating the victim and implying she's a liar!
06:14The judge banged his gavel.
06:16Mrs. Mitchell, watch your words.
06:18I turned to the judge.
06:20Your honor, I'm not questioning the victim's honesty.
06:22I'm simply pointing out a biological fact.
06:24Then, I turned back.
06:25Looking directly into Tiffany's eyes, her gaze started to shift.
06:28I gave her my first smile of the day, but it was as cold as ice.
06:31Miss Tiffany, if you had actually met Cooper, you would regret your words and actions today,
06:35because they were utterly foolish.
06:38Tiffany's face flushed red.
06:40She clearly hadn't expected me to challenge her so directly.
06:43How... how can you say that?
06:45She stammered, her voice thick with anger.
06:47I almost died!
06:48But you didn't, I said calmly, watching her reaction.
06:51And you're able to stand here and testify in perfect detail.
06:56Because I was lucky!
06:58Tiffany was almost screaming now.
07:00If my neighbor hadn't heard...
07:02She paused.
07:03I saw a flicker of cunning in her eyes.
07:06Actually, this wasn't the first time...
07:08The entire room refocused on her.
07:10All eyes in the courtroom were fixed on her,
07:12and Owen even gestured enthusiastically with encouraging looks.
07:15I sat down calmly, curious to hear what more ridiculous lie she might come up with.
07:19Ever since they moved in, he's been following me.
07:22At the community gym.
07:24At the pool.
07:26Even outside my house.
07:28Tiffany took a deep breath, making herself look weaker again.
07:32The way he looked at me, it was predatory.
07:35Like... like he wanted to tear me to pieces.
07:37Angry whispers erupted from the jury box.
07:39A total creep!
07:41A kid like that is a danger to everyone.
07:44He should be locked up.
07:45I remained expressionless.
07:47Cooper doesn't go to the community gym.
07:49You're lying!
07:51I have witnesses!
07:52People saw him!
07:53Name one.
07:54Her mouth opened, but no names came out.
07:57Just then, Brenda shot up from her seat in the gallery.
07:59Her voice was a piercing shriek.
08:01That's enough!
08:02Harper!
08:03You will not humiliate my daughter like this!
08:06Brenda held up her phone.
08:07You want proof?
08:08This is a recording from that night.
08:10I heard a noise and hit record.
08:12Brenda connected her phone to the court's audio system.
08:15A muffled sound filled the speakers.
08:16Heavy breathing.
08:17The thud of an impact, some other unidentifiable noises.
08:20And then Tiffany's faint whimper.
08:22No, please stop.
08:24Do you really want Tiffany to relive the pain of that night again?
08:27The room fell silent.
08:29The recording was more powerful than any testimony.
08:35The jury's faces grew darker.
08:37With anger and pity.
08:39Gavin nodded, satisfied.
08:41That is a live recording of that night.
08:43Ladies and gentlemen, what do you hear?
08:45Violence.
08:47Pain.
08:48And the cries of an innocent girl, begging for her life.
08:52I listened closely to the recording.
08:54Catching every detail.
08:58The heavy breathing.
08:59The thuds.
09:01The background noise.
09:03Wait.
09:04I asked suddenly.
09:06Can you play that again?
09:11Gavin?
09:12Why?
09:12How can you be so cruel?
09:15Do you really want Tiffany to relive the pain of that night again?
09:18Gavin asked.
09:19On guard.
09:21I want to listen to the details.
09:23The recording played again.
09:25This time, I focused on the background sounds.
09:27The breathing.
09:28The impacts.
09:29Tiffany's whimpers.
09:30And a bird call.
09:31A nocturnal bird.
09:32Interesting.
09:33I said under my breath.
09:34Mrs. Mitchell, what's interesting?
09:37Gavin jumped to his feet.
09:38Objection!
09:39The defendant is making baseless seculalations.
09:42I stood and addressed the jury.
09:46Everyone, please pay attention to the bird call in the background of that recording.
09:51That is the call of a night thrush.
09:53A bird that is only active late at night.
09:56I turned to Tiffany.
09:57But your testimony placed the attack around 6 p.m.
10:01In broad daylight.
10:02That bird is nocturnal.
10:04It doesn't sing until well after midnight.
10:07Tiffany's face paled.
10:10I might have gotten the time wrong.
10:13Did you get the time wrong?
10:14Or was this recording not made at that time at all?
10:16Gavin jumped to his feet.
10:18Objection!
10:18The defendant is making baseless seculations.
10:20But that small point of doubt did little to calm the mob.
10:23The live stream comments were still flying.
10:25She could have been wrong about the time, but the recording is real.
10:28Harper's just making excuses.
10:29This kind of legal trick is disgusting.
10:33I glanced at the stock alert on my phone.
10:35Down another 2%.
10:37Gavin clearly realized he needed something stronger to shut me down.
10:40He walked to his table and picked up a clear evidence bag.
10:43Inside was a lock of golden fur.
10:45Your Honor, I would like to submit the final nail in the coffin.
10:49Five million isn't enough!
10:50He should be in jail!
10:52Gavin held the bag high for everyone to see.
10:55We found this on Miss Tiffany's clothes.
10:58Golden hair.
10:59And semen.
11:03We ran the DNA!
11:04It's a perfect match to your son, Cooper!
11:08The room erupted.
11:10Gavin's voice boomed, turning to the jury.
11:13Ladies and gentlemen, that is the nail in the coffin.
11:19She has nothing left to say now!
11:22Science doesn't lie!
11:24Harper, what's your excuse for this?
11:26Gavin strutted in the center of the courtroom.
11:28A victory lamp.
11:29Your Honor, in the face of such conclusive evidence,
11:32I demand an immediate judgment of five million dollars in civil damages!
11:37He pointed at me, his voice ringing with power.
11:39And we are filing for an emergency restraining order.
11:42Keep that monster 1,000 feet away from my client at all times!
11:45The gallery burst into applause.
11:46Yes! Keep that little monster away from her!
11:48Five million isn't enough!
11:49He should be in jail!
11:50I looked at the bag of golden fur,
11:51and the corner of my mouth tilted up in a slight smile.
11:54That tiny change in expression didn't escape anyone's notice.
11:57Brenda shrieked from her seat.
11:58Look at her!
12:01The proof is staring us in the face!
12:03And she's smiling!
12:04That woman has no soul!
12:06Harper Mitchell,
12:08if you think five million dollars will make this go away,
12:11you are dead wrong.
12:13Brenda stormed toward the front, her eyes spitting fire.
12:15I will ruin you.
12:17Harper!
12:18I'll bankrupt your company.
12:20I'll run you out of this town!
12:22She whipped out her phone and went live.
12:27Everyone, look at her!
12:29Look at this cold-blooded monster!
12:31We have DNA proof that her son destroyed my daughter,
12:34and she's just sitting there smiling!
12:36The comments on her live stream exploded.
12:38Just then, Tiffany let out a painted moan.
12:41Mom, I can't...
12:43Her body swayed, and then she slowly collapsed to the side.
12:47Tiffany!
12:48Oh!
12:49Brenda squeaked, rushing toward her.
12:51Gavin immediately called for the paramedics.
12:53Quick!
12:54She's been triggered again!
12:55It's all because of the defendant's cold-hearted attitude!
12:57The courtroom descended into chaos.
13:00Cameras flashed wildly.
13:01The online audience was completely captivated by the drama.
13:04That poor girl...
13:06This is all Harper's fault!
13:08That woman is a demon!
13:10I remained in my seat, calmly observing it all.
13:13The paramedics checked Tiffany's blood pressure and pulse,
13:16then confirmed she had simply fainted from emotional distress.
13:20She needs rest.
13:21The judge looked at me.
13:23Mrs. Mitchell,
13:24in the face of this evidence,
13:26do you have anything else to say?
13:29I slowly rose to my feet and adjusted my blazer.
13:33I have one question, Your Honor.
13:35What is it?
13:37So, let me confirm.
13:39This hair and this semen,
13:42they came from the attacker.
13:44Gavin said smugly,
13:46Of course!
13:46It was found on the victim's clothes.
13:49And you, Miss Tiffany?
13:52You agree?
13:54Tiffany, who had conveniently awakened,
13:56nodded weakly.
13:59Yes, that's it.
14:01I'll never forget when he grabbed me.
14:07Excellent.
14:08I turned to the judge,
14:09my voice ringing with clarity.
14:11Then we are all in agreement.
14:12This evidence came from the person who attacked Tiffany.
14:14This evidence is the key to this entire case.
14:18That is correct.
14:20Brenda stood up again in the gallery.
14:21She's just trying to stall!
14:23Your Honor, rule now!
14:25Don't listen to any more of her nonsense!
14:26Yes!
14:28Rule now!
14:29Make her pay!
14:31Justice for Tiffany!
14:33The entire courtroom had become a sea of anger.
14:36I checked my watch,
14:37then looked at the judge.
14:39Your Honor,
14:40since this is the deciding piece of evidence,
14:42I believe this case will be settled very soon.
14:44What do you mean?
14:47I smiled.
14:49I'd like to call a witness.
14:51Gavin frowned.
14:54What witness?
14:55This case is closed.
14:56I looked at Brenda,
14:57who was visibly tense.
14:58Subsequently,
14:59I announced,
15:00my voice cutting through the tension.
15:02I called the defendant to the stand.
15:04The judge stared.
15:06You're calling your son?
15:08Yes.
15:09I turned toward the heavy courtroom doors.
15:11Bring in,
15:12Cooper.
15:16The room fell silent.
15:18Everyone held their breath,
15:19waiting for the violent,
15:20dangerous,
15:21rich,
15:21kid monster to walk through the door.
15:23The doors opened,
15:24and everyone stared,
15:26utterly stunned.
15:27The bailiff swung the courtroom doors open,
15:29wheeling in a sleek,
15:30expensive-looking pet carrier.
15:31The black carrier was split
15:32with international travel stickers,
15:34looking both professional and mysterious.
15:35The courtroom held its breath.
15:36Cameras flashed,
15:37a frenzy of blinding light.
15:38The live stream chat scrolled at lightning speed.
15:41What's in there?
15:41Evidence?
15:42The murder weapon?
15:43What kind of game is Harper playing?
15:45The jury sat up straight,
15:46their eyes glued to the carrier.
15:48Tiffany's knuckles went white
15:49as she clutched her mother's hand,
15:50her eyes wide with alarm.
15:51Brendan frowned,
15:52a deep line forming between her brows.
15:54She was completely lost.
15:55Gavin, the opposing counsel,
15:57shot to his feet.
15:58Objection!
15:59Your Honor,
15:59what is the meaning of this theatrics?
16:01The judge waved him off.
16:02Let her continue.
16:03I walked slowly toward the carrier,
16:06each step steady and deliberate.
16:07The silence was absolute,
16:09broken only by the sharp click-clack
16:11of my heels on the marble floor.
16:12Everyone was waiting,
16:13waiting for me to reveal my hand.
16:15I crouched down
16:16and placed my hand on the carrier's latch.
16:18Ladies and gentlemen,
16:19allow me to introduce the accused.
16:21Click.
16:22The latch opened.
16:23A cat stepped out gracefully.
16:25Not just any house cat.
16:27It was a sleek bavon,
16:28covered in gorgeous leopard-like spots,
16:29its coat shimmering under the courtroom lights.
16:31It emerged,
16:32surveyed the stunned courtroom,
16:33then leaped onto my defense table
16:34with impossible grace.
16:35It sat down
16:36and began to lick its paw.
16:37A wave of stunned silence
16:38crashed over the courtroom.
16:39You couldn't hear a single soul breathe.
16:40Jaws dropped,
16:41eyes blurmed.
16:42It was as if they'd just seen an alien lamp.
16:43The Bengal cat completely ignored the shot
16:45and continued to groom itself
16:46with regal elegance.
16:47It glanced around,
16:47its gaze sweeping over them
16:48with the disdain of a bored monarch.
16:50I walked over and suped him into my arms.
16:51He purred,
16:52a soft rumble against my chest,
16:53melting into my embrace.
16:54I'd like you to meet
16:55my son,
16:56Cooper,
16:56a two-year-old bagel
16:57with a TCA champion blood list.
16:58And yes,
16:59a cat bodybuilding champion.
17:00The dead silent lasted for ten full seconds.
17:02Then the courtroom erupted.
17:03What?
17:04A cat?
17:05Has she lost her mind?
17:06What the hell is this?
17:10Tiffany shot up from her seat,
17:11face bone white,
17:12her eyes wild with panic.
17:14No!
17:15That's impossible!
17:17That's not Cooper!
17:17Her voice cracked,
17:19laced with terror.
17:20Cooper is a person!
17:21A man!
17:23Not!
17:24Not an animal!
17:30Gavin's briefcase slipped from his hand,
17:32papers scattering across the floor.
17:35He stared at the cat in my arms.
17:37His jaw was practically on the floor.
17:40Voices rose from the jury box.
17:46Wait,
17:46is she saying the cat raped?
17:50How could a cat?
17:51This is ridiculous!
17:52I held Cooper
17:53and looked calmly
17:54at every single person in the room.
17:56My voice laced with ice-cold sarcasm.
17:58Now,
17:58I'd like the plaintiff
17:59to describe for us
18:00one more time
18:01how exactly
18:02she was raped
18:03by a two-year-old Bengal cat.
18:06Cooper yawned in my arms,
18:07clearly bored
18:08by all this human drama.
18:10Tiffany became hysterical.
18:11No!
18:12That's not Cooper!
18:13The real Cooper
18:14is a person!
18:15A man!
18:16What man?
18:18Other than my cat, Cooper,
18:19there is no one else
18:20living in my house.
18:21I turned to the jury.
18:24Ladies and gentlemen,
18:25please use your common sense.
18:27How could a 12-pound cat
18:29drag a grown woman
18:31into a storage closet?
18:33How could it tear off her clothes?
18:35How could it perform the acts
18:37the plaintiff described?
18:40The jury started whispering.
18:42Doubt was creeping
18:42onto their faces.
18:43Unless,
18:44the plaintiff is trying
18:45to tell us,
18:46she was overpowered
18:47by a cat.
18:49Cooper seemed to understand.
18:50He looked up at Tiffany,
18:52then elegantly
18:52licked his paw again.
18:53The simple gesture
18:54shattered Tiffany's composure.
18:56She completely shattered.
18:57It's not like that!
18:58It's not!
18:58Cooper isn't a cat!
19:01The shock finally wore off
19:03and Brendan snapped.
19:04She shot up from her seat,
19:05pointing at me
19:05and Cooper
19:06and screaming.
19:07Pulling a stunt!
19:08That's not your son!
19:09You dragged in
19:10some random alley cat
19:11to take the fall for him!
19:12Where is the real Cooper?
19:15Where are you hiding him?
19:17I watched her meltdown.
19:19A slow, dangerous smile
19:20spreading across my face.
19:22Brenda's accusation
19:23landed like a bomb
19:23in the courtroom.
19:24Some of the jurors
19:25started whispering
19:26to each other.
19:28She's right.
19:30How can she prove
19:31this cat is the Cooper
19:32being accused?
19:33Could it be a stand-in?
19:34Maybe the real criminal
19:36isn't hiding.
19:36I watched their fickle minds
19:37waver,
19:38a cold calm
19:38settling over me.
19:40Gavin seized the opportunity.
19:41He shot to his feet,
19:43his voice shaking
19:43with renewed purpose.
19:44Your Honor!
19:44The defendant is making
19:45a mockery of this court!
19:46She's trying to create
19:47a smoke screen
19:47with this,
19:48this animal!
19:48He pointed at Cooper
19:49in my arms.
19:50It's an insult to my client
19:51and to the very concept
19:52of just-
19:52Tiffany immediately
19:53played along,
19:54rising from the witness
19:55stand with fresh tears.
19:56Yes!
19:57She's protecting
19:58the real Cooper!
19:59The monster who hurt me!
20:00The real Cooper
20:01is a person!
20:02A violent man!
20:03Not this cat!
20:04The jury's expressions
20:05began to waver.
20:06A middle-aged woman
20:07on the jury frowned.
20:08A young male jury
20:09nodded.
20:09Gavin pressed his advantage.
20:11Harper Mitchell!
20:12Your tactics
20:12are disgusting!
20:13You drag an innocent
20:14animal through the mud
20:15to cover for your
20:16monstrous son!
20:17His voice grew louder.
20:18This isn't just
20:18obstruction of justice,
20:20it's animal cruelty.
20:21The gallery started
20:22to stir.
20:22That's right!
20:23Using an animal
20:24as a scapegoat
20:24is sick!
20:25Where's the real Cooper?
20:26Harper,
20:27hand over your real son!
20:28Seeing the tide turn,
20:30Brenda shrieked
20:31with triumph.
20:31See?
20:32Everyone sees it!
20:33You're lying!
20:35That cat is not
20:36the same Cooper,
20:37the same thing
20:38that hurt my daughter!
20:39The judge banged
20:40his gavel.
20:41Order!
20:43He looked at me,
20:44his expression serious.
20:46Ms. Mitchell,
20:47the court requires
20:47clear proof
20:48that this cat is,
20:49as you claim,
20:50your son,
20:51Cooper.
20:51I gently stroked
20:53Cooper's head.
20:56He let out
20:57a contented purr.
20:58Then I looked up
20:59at all the doubtful faces.
21:00A slow smile
21:01spread across my lips.
21:02Mr. Gavin,
21:03you said a moment ago
21:04that the DNA evidence
21:05was the nail in the coffin,
21:06correct?
21:07Gavin hesitated.
21:08Y-yes,
21:10of course.
21:11Good.
21:12Then perhaps
21:13you can explain
21:13to the court
21:14just how you collected
21:15a semen sample
21:16from a neutered male cat.
21:19Gavin's face went white.
21:20He realized the problem.
21:20I continued.
21:21And you claimed
21:22the hairs found
21:23on the victim's clothing
21:24belonged to Cooper.
21:25If Cooper is human,
21:26why was the hair sample
21:28from an animal?
21:28I walked to the evidence table
21:30and picked up the baggie
21:30with the golden hairs.
21:31If Cooper is a cat,
21:33then your DNA report
21:34is correct.
21:34If Cooper is a human,
21:35then you are
21:36falsifying evidence.
21:37So tell me,
21:37Mr. Gavin,
21:38which is it?
21:39Gavin's mouth opened
21:39but no sound came out.
21:41He was trapped.
21:42Checkmate.
21:43Admit Cooper was a cat
21:44and admit a cat
21:45can't rape a human.
21:46Deny Cooper was a cat
21:47and admit they
21:47faked the DNA evidence.
21:49I watched him squirm.
21:50A dry,
21:50contemptuous laugh
21:51escaped my lips.
21:52It seems Mr. Gavin
21:53needs a moment to think.
21:54Allow me to clarify for you.
21:56I turned to the judge.
21:56Your Honor,
21:57a moment ago,
21:58the plaintiff questioned
21:58this cat's identity.
22:00So now I'd like to ask,
22:01how can they prove
22:02another Cooper even exists?
22:03Is there a photo?
22:04An eyewitness?
22:05Is there any proof at all
22:06that another person
22:07or animal named Cooper
22:08lives in my house
22:09besides this cat?
22:10The judge looked
22:11at the plaintiff's table.
22:12Indeed,
22:12the plaintiff needs
22:13to provide evidence
22:13to support your claims.
22:14Tiffany panicked.
22:16I've seen him!
22:17The real Cooper!
22:18Where?
22:19At the community center?
22:21At the gym?
22:22Is there security footage?
22:23Any other witnesses?
22:24Tiffany was speechless
22:25because there were
22:27none to invent.
22:28The judge watched all this.
22:29His brow fruddled.
22:30Miss Mitchell,
22:30how can you prove
22:31this cat is your son,
22:33Cooper?
22:34I smiled.
22:36Completely confident.
22:37Your Honor,
22:38I have irrefutable
22:39digital proof.
22:42I took a tablet
22:43from my bag
22:44and connected it
22:44to the court's
22:45large screen.
22:48The moment the screen
22:49lit up,
22:49everyone held their breath.
22:50They knew the show
22:51was about to begin.
22:53The big screen
22:53came to life.
22:54The first document
22:55appeared.
22:56It was an ornate
22:57official certificate
22:58embossed with
22:58the golden seal of TYC,
23:00the International Cat Association.
23:02The name Cooper Mitchell
23:03was printed clearly.
23:04His pedigree certificate,
23:05microchip ID,
23:07vaccination records,
23:08and competition history,
23:09it was all there.
23:10Owner's information,
23:11Harper Mitchell.
23:12Date of registration,
23:13two years ago.
23:14Someone in the courtroom gasped.
23:17Is that real?
23:18I tapped the screen
23:19bringing up the next page.
23:20Cooper's Instagram profile
23:21filled the screen.
23:22Thawa Perthabengal,
23:2352,000 followers.
23:25The profile picture
23:26was an elegant shot
23:27of Cooper in profile.
23:28his amber eyes
23:29glittering for the camera.
23:30I'm child-free by choice.
23:32I have no human children,
23:33but I do
23:34have a son.
23:36My cat son,
23:37Cooper,
23:37does have his own
23:38social media account
23:39with 52,000 followers.
23:42I started scrolling.
23:44Countless photos and videos
23:45filled the screen.
23:49Cooper playing in my mansion.
23:51Cooper sleeping on a private jet.
23:54Cooper looking out
23:55over the Eiffel Tower
23:56from a hotel balcony in Paris.
24:01Cooper posing under
24:02the cherry blossoms
24:03in Tokyo.
24:04Cooper watching the snowfall
24:05in his New York penthouse.
24:07Every photo was time-stamped.
24:09Every video was geotagged.
24:11A complete record
24:12of the last two years
24:13from kittenhood to now.
24:14Every photo,
24:15every video.
24:16Told the same story,
24:18Cooper had always been a cat.
24:19A spoiled world-traveling,
24:20ridiculously famous
24:21fengal cat.
24:22The jury's shock curdled
24:23into outrage.
24:25They accused a cat of rape?
24:27This is absurd!
24:28What an insult
24:29to our intelligence!
24:30The gallery began to stir,
24:31but this time,
24:32the anger wasn't directed at me.
24:34It was aimed at Tiffany
24:35and Brenda.
24:36The live stream comments
24:37flipped instantly.
24:37I continued presenting
24:39more evidence.
24:40Cooper's vet records
24:41with detailed health reports.
24:44Cooper's pet insurance policy.
24:47Cooper's award certificates
24:48from international cat shows.
24:49There were even contracts
24:50and behind-the-scenes footage
24:51from commercials
24:52Cooper had starred in.
24:54Every single document
24:55repeated the same thing.
24:56Cooper is a cat.
24:58A cat who has existed
24:59for two years
25:00with a fully documented life.
25:02Tiffany's face
25:03grew paler and paler.
25:04She started to tremble,
25:05her eyes losing focus.
25:06Gavin couldn't sit still.
25:07He jumped up
25:08trying to stop me.
25:09This, this,
25:10this could all be fake.
25:11Doctor later.
25:12I scoffed.
25:12Doctor?
25:13You think I faked
25:14two years of social media history?
25:15Hacked TI's official database?
25:16Forged pet transport records
25:18with international airlines?
25:19I pulled up more proof.
25:20Here are Cooper's
25:21microchip scan records,
25:22showing his entry
25:22into countries all over the world
25:23for the past two years.
25:24Here are the pet
25:25relocation certificates
25:26from each of those countries.
25:31And here is the contract
25:32for the luxury brand commercial
25:33he shot in Switzerland
25:34signed one year ago.
25:36Each new slide
25:37was another nail
25:37in their coffin.
25:39The jury was openly laughing now.
25:42Accusing a celebrity cat
25:44of a crime?
25:44This is the most ridiculous
25:46thing I've heard all year.
25:47Have they lost their minds?
25:48Realizing the game was over,
25:50Brendan's entire demeanor shifted.
25:52In an instant,
25:53she morphed from a snarling accuser
25:54into a pathetic,
25:55weeping mother.
25:55She started to cry.
25:57I, I was wrong!
25:59My daughter must have been confused!
26:01She dropped to her knees
26:02in the middle of the courtroom.
26:04It's PTSD!
26:06Her memory is fuzzy!
26:07We didn't mean any harm!
26:09We really didn't!
26:11Tiffany started wailing
26:12along with her.
26:13I, I must have gotten it wrong!
26:15I'm sorry!
26:15I'm so sorry, Harper!
26:17They were scrambling for an exit,
26:20trying to write this all off
26:21as a misunderstanding.
26:22But I wasn't going to let them.
26:24Just as they were about to
26:24scramble away,
26:25I stopped them.
26:26Wait!
26:27Your story is over.
26:29A smile touched my lips,
26:30but it didn't reach
26:31my ice-cold eyes.
26:32Now it's my turn.
26:34I walk toward the judge's bench,
26:35my voice clear and strong.
26:37About that little matter
26:38of them attempting to blackmail me
26:39for five million dollars?
26:41Shouldn't we talk about that too?
26:42The script had been flipped.
26:44Now it was Brendan and Tiffany's
26:45turn to panic.
26:46Blackmail?
26:46Harper!
26:47How can you say that?
26:48We're the victims!
26:49She was trying to regain control,
26:50but her voice was trembling.
26:51My daughter has been through
26:52so much trauma,
26:53and now you're gonna turn on us?
26:54Tiffany immediately played along,
26:56squeezing out more tears.
26:58I'm in enough pain already.
27:01I really just made a mistake.
27:06Please don't torture me anymore.
27:09Her voice shook
27:10as she tried to slip back
27:11into the role of the innocent victim.
27:13I have PTSD.
27:14My memory is all mixed up.
27:16It's not my fault.
27:17A few people on the jury
27:18started to hesitate.
27:19Maybe they really did make a mistake.
27:21They do look pathetic.
27:27But my expression was carved from ice.
27:30I stroked Cooper,
27:31who let out a lazy John.
27:33PTSD?
27:34An interesting theory.
27:35I nodded toward the back
27:37of the courtroom.
27:38My lawyer, Marcus,
27:39a sharply dressed middle
27:40middle-aged man stood up.
27:42Your Honor,
27:42the defense would like
27:43to present related evidence.
27:44He walked to the evidence table
27:45with a laptop.
27:46This is a video from
27:47the entertainment news site TMZ,
27:48filmed during the exact time
27:50Miss Tiffany claimed
27:50she was traumatized.
27:51The big screen lit up again.
27:53The TMZ logo appeared,
27:54followed by grainy footage
27:55from a night cub.
27:56The video's title read,
27:57Rich Girl's Drunken Party Meltdown,
27:59Forcibly Removed by Security.
28:01On screen,
28:02a blonde girl was screaming
28:03on the deck of a yacht.
28:04It was Tiffany,
28:05but not the weak,
28:06pitiful Tiffany in the courtroom.
28:07This was a drunk,
28:08wild Tiffany.
28:09She ripped off her top
28:10for the camera,
28:11screaming profanies
28:12at the cameraman.
28:12I'm an heiress!
28:14What do you peasants know?
28:17In the video,
28:18she grabbed a man by the collar.
28:19I'll give you
28:20a hundred grand
28:22to sleep with me!
28:23The man pushed her away
28:25and she started
28:25screaming hysterically.
28:27Then she began
28:27to hurt herself,
28:29digging her nails
28:29into her own neck
28:31and arms.
28:32And that,
28:32ladies and gentlemen
28:33of the jury,
28:34is where the scratches
28:34on her neck
28:35really came from.
28:36Not from some sexual assault,
28:38but from her own self-harm
28:40while drunk.
28:42The video continued.
28:44Security came to restrain her
28:45and she got even wilder.
28:47She screamed at the guards,
28:48You're going to regret this!
28:50I'm going to sue you
28:51for sexual assault!
28:52I know a lot of lawyers!
28:54I'll have you all
28:56thrown in jail!
28:57Finally,
28:58three guards had to
28:59physically carry her
29:00off the yacht.
29:01The courtroom was silent.
29:02Everyone stared
29:02at the real Tiffany
29:03on the screen.
29:04The contrast
29:05with the pitiful victim
29:05in the courtroom
29:06was staggering.
29:07The jury's expression
29:08shifted from sympathy
29:09to disgust.
29:10Tiffany's face
29:11was chalk white,
29:11her lips trembling.
29:13That's not me.
29:15That's someone else.
29:16Someone else?
29:17The video includes
29:18full identification.
29:19Tiffany Walker,
29:2019,
29:21resident of Miami.
29:23He pulled up
29:24more evidence.
29:26Here are her hotel records
29:27from that night,
29:28her credit card statements,
29:29and the hospital report
29:30for alcohol poisoning.
29:31The timing
29:32is exactly one week
29:33before she claims
29:34she was sexually assaulted.
29:36The final pieces
29:37were clicking into place.
29:38I stood up,
29:39my voice growing colder.
29:41So,
29:42Miss Tiffany's
29:42so-called trauma
29:43was actually the result
29:44of her being humiliated
29:46after a drunken tantrum
29:47in Miami,
29:48and the scratches
29:48on her neck
29:49were self-inflicted
29:49while she was drunk.
29:51So,
29:51to save face
29:52and make a quick
29:52five million dollars,
29:54they cooked up
29:54this entire story
29:55and decided
29:56to frame my cat.
29:57Seeing it was all over,
29:58Brenda stood up.
29:59No!
30:00It's not like that!
30:02We weren't blackmailing you!
30:04Marcus smiled
30:05and took out
30:06another device.
30:07Really?
30:08Then please,
30:09have a listen to this.
30:10He pressed play.
30:11A crystal clear recording
30:13came through the speakers.
30:14It was Brenda's voice
30:15full of malice and threats.
30:16Harper!
30:17You better think this through.
30:18Either give us
30:19the five million
30:19or we will ruin
30:20your son's life.
30:21We'll tell the whole world
30:22he's a sex offender.
30:23He'll never be able
30:24to show his face again.
30:25I'll think your money
30:26makes you special.
30:27We'll bankrupt your company.
30:28We'll run you
30:29out of this neighborhood.
30:30What's five million to you?
30:31But to my daughter,
30:32it's a chance to start over
30:33if you don't pay.
30:34We'll see you in court
30:36and you'll end up
30:36paying a lot more.
30:38The jury stared at
30:39Brendan and her daughter
30:40with contempt.
30:41Any remaining pity
30:42was gone.
30:43Marcus continued.
30:44This is a high-definition
30:45audio recording
30:45from the defendant's
30:46smart doorbell
30:47dated three days
30:48before the lawsuit
30:49was filed.
30:49It's a complete record
30:50of the plaintiff's
30:51blackmail attempt.
30:52Brenda and Tiffany
30:53completely broke down.
30:55They couldn't maintain
30:55the victim act any longer.
30:57Brenda sobbed.
30:58We didn't mean it.
30:59We just wanted compensation.
31:00compensation
31:02by framing a cat
31:03for five million dollars.
31:04I turned to the judge.
31:06Your honor,
31:06I am hereby filing
31:07a countersuit.
31:08I am suing
31:08Brendan and Tiffany Walker
31:09for defamation,
31:10perjury,
31:10attempted extortion,
31:11and fraud.
31:12I am seeking damages
31:12for reputational harm,
31:13emotional distress,
31:14and the resulting drop
31:14in my company's stock value
31:15to the sum of
31:16fifty million dollars.
31:18The judge banged
31:19his gavel.
31:19The court accepts
31:20the countersuit.
31:21He looked at Gavin.
31:23Mr. Davies,
31:24do you have anything else
31:25to say in defense
31:26of your clients?
31:26Gavin was completely defeated.
31:28He knew he was finished.
31:29Not only had he lost the case,
31:31but he was now facing
31:32a bar association investigation.
31:33I move to recuse myself.
31:34Motion denied.
31:35As their lawyer,
31:36you are odd great
31:36to see this through,
31:37even if you knew
31:38they were lying.
31:38I now declare
31:39that this case
31:40will be referred
31:40to the prosecutor's office
31:41for criminal charges
31:42against the plaintiffs.
31:44Brenda Walker
31:44and Tiffany Walk
31:45are suspected
31:46of multiple felonies
31:47and will be taken
31:48into custody
31:49immediately,
31:50pending trial.
31:51Mr. Davies' conduct
31:52will be reported
31:52to the state bar
31:53for disciplinary action.
31:55The bailiffs walked
31:56toward Brenda
31:57and her daughter.
31:57The silver handcuffs
31:58glinted under the lights.
32:00No!
32:01We'll apologize!
32:02We'll pay!
32:03But it was too late.
32:04The moment the cuffs
32:04snapped onto their wrists,
32:06the camera flashes
32:06went wild.
32:07Every lens was pointed
32:08at them.
32:09The same online mob
32:10that had been calling
32:10for my head
32:11was now turning on them.
32:12They got what they deserved!
32:14Liars who frame cats
32:15should rot!
32:15Mrs. Harper,
32:16we're so sorry.
32:17We were wrong about you.
32:18Cooper is so cute!
32:19Sunlight flooded the hallway
32:20as I stepped out
32:21of the courtroom.
32:22Victory had never tasted
32:23so sweet.
32:24Cooper stretched in my arms,
32:25then closed his eyes,
32:27content.
32:27He had no idea
32:28he'd just won
32:29a multi-million dollar lawsuit.
32:31All he knew
32:31was that his mother
32:32was happy.
32:33And for Cooper,
32:33that was everything.
32:34Reporters immediately
32:35swarmed forward.
32:36Camera flashes
32:37popping wildly
32:38as questions rained down.
32:39Someone shouted questions
32:40about the countersuit amount,
32:41while others asked
32:42about the fate
32:43of Brenda and her daughter.
32:44My phone kept vibrating
32:45as company stock
32:46stabilized quickly
32:47and began a clear rebound
32:48on the news of the verdict.
32:49One reporter thrust
32:50the microphone
32:51right up to my face.
32:52Mrs. Mitchell,
32:52will you really pursue
32:53the full 50 million
32:54in damages?
32:55I calmly adjusted
32:56my blazer
32:56and answered every question
32:57in a clear and firm voice.
32:59Yes, every penny
33:00will be pursued to the end.
33:01This is for justice
33:02and to warn those
33:02who try to profit
33:03through lies.
33:06At that moment,
33:07Brenda,
33:07despite being cuffed,
33:08suddenly lunged forward
33:10with her face twisted
33:10in extreme desperation.
33:12She screamed
33:12that the recording
33:13had been edited
33:14and demanded
33:14an immediate reinvestigation
33:15of the entire case.
33:16Security rushed up
33:17to restrain her,
33:18but the outburst
33:19created one final peak
33:20of chaotic tension
33:20outside the courthouse.
33:21The scene nearly lost control
33:23as reporters eagerly
33:24captured every second.
33:25This final stunt
33:26only fueled
33:26greater public anger,
33:28further solidifying
33:29the criminal charges
33:29against them
33:30with no logical loopholes
33:31or escape routes left.
33:33I looked down
33:34at Cooper in my arms.
33:35He purred contentedly,
33:36completely unaware
33:37of the massive storm
33:38he had been caught in.
33:40I whispered to him softly,
33:41Let's go home, son.
33:42Everything is over now.
33:44Behind me,
33:45Brenda and Tiffany
33:46were forcibly loaded
33:46into police cars
33:47as their cries faded
33:48amid the crowd's booze.
33:55The case not only
33:56ended in complete victory,
33:57but allowed my company's
33:58reputation to recover quickly
33:59and even attracted
34:00more positive media coverage
34:01and business partners.
34:03A few days later,
34:04the court formally accepted
34:05my countersuit
34:06with an airtight chain
34:07of evidence
34:07where every detail
34:08could withstand scrutiny.
34:09Gavin faced a harsh
34:10disciplinary investigation
34:11by the Bar Association
34:12and would likely lose
34:14his license
34:14and end his career.
34:16Brenda and her daughter
34:17waited in the detention center
34:18for formal trial
34:19as their carefully crafted
34:21victim image
34:21completely collapsed
34:22with no way to salvage it.
34:24I sat in my office
34:25looking out at the city skyline
34:26as Cooper jumped onto the desk
34:28and gently rubbed
34:29against my hand
34:29for attention.
34:30The stock had fully recovered
34:31and even surpassed
34:33its pre-case peak
34:33as market confidence
34:35returned swiftly.
34:36Everything was back on track,
34:38but the experience
34:39made me far more vigilant
34:40against potential traps
34:41and malice around us.
34:43We'll face anything like this
34:45together next time.
34:46No one will hurt our family.
34:48I told Cooper.
34:49He blinked in response.
34:51The aftertaste of victory
34:52remained sweet,
34:53yet it reminded me,
34:53that protecting family
34:55whether furry or otherwise
34:56is always the most important thing.
34:57At the same time,
34:59the prosecutor's office
35:00informed me.
35:00They had uncovered
35:01more past fraud records
35:03of Brenda and her daughter,
35:04which would add heavier penalties
35:06to their sentences.
35:07I nodded and agreed to provide
35:08all necessary cooperation
35:09to ensure seven justice
35:11was fully served.
35:12Life moved forward,
35:13but the event made the bond
35:14between me and Cooper
35:15even stronger.
35:16Months later,
35:17the final trial verdict
35:18was announced
35:18and Brenda and Tiffany
35:19were found guilty
35:20on multiple charges.
35:21Their appeals were quickly denied.
35:23As compensation payments
35:25began to be enforced
35:26step by step,
35:27company stock continued rising,
35:28so I decided to use
35:29part of the fund.
35:30and the other Parts of the Fund is
35:30to issue the休憩
35:30is going to be enforced,
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