The Fallen Actress and the Billionaire’s Deal

"Were you really doing porn?" A reporter asked.

"What!"

"Did you really throw ableist slurs at deformed people, 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.

"Allegra Quinn, did you really abuse your manager, Miss Angela Devon and your cook, Mrs Rose Everton?"

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

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

"Allegra Quinn Brooks, Allegra Quinn, 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 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 rowdiness outside. Nancy, my sister, was sitting on the left side of the room with the plaintiff. Her lips curved into a complacent smile as she saw me, but underneath it was hatred thick enough to smother me.

All of this was her handiwork. She and jealousy. She had always wanted what was mine, and this time, she went to the extreme to get it.

I was still staring at Nancy when my eyes twitched and landed on my parents. They had also come to witness my ruin, who would have thought. They never loved me, denying me the opportunities deserving of a child. I worked hard to make something out of my talent, but they supported Nancy in stealing it from me. Like she always does.

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, flashed me a reassuring smile as he stood to face the judge, but my stomach only tightened into knots.

"May the trial begin," the officiant announced.

The prosecutor, a tall, thin man with a sneering expression, stood up.

"Your Honour,“ he began. "The defendant, Allegra Quinn, who is an award-winning Hollywood movie star, has been accused of battery, racist slurs, and money laundering. We have evidence and witnesses that prove her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

"Objection, my Lord." Mr Johnson shouted, "jumping on his feet.

"Miss Allegra Quinn is a kindhearted and hardworking woman. Within 5 years of her career, she has gained worldwide recognition for her daring performances. With accolades like 5 Golden Globe awards, 2 Emmys and 16 Oscar nominations. All of this is nothing but a conspiracy to destroy her career. The social media bloggers went ahead and broadcasting lies since the racist slur issue hit the internet. Allegra Quinn worked her way into the movie industry through excessive hard work and dedication; everything against her is false."

"What about Angela Devon" The prosecutor asked, raising his eyebrows skeptically. " Miss Allegra Quinn here, was said to have pushed her manager off the stairs as a result of anger. Angela Devon is currently in the hospital, recovering from severe injuries."

"But that is not true!" My voice went ahead of me.

The court officiant threw a stern glance at me, and I lowered my head to avoid it. The prosecutor continued.

"When the incident occurred, she ran to Miss Nancy Quinn here for help," he gestured at my sister whose face darkened into a shadow of hatred and anger.

"Miss Quinn is the one who took Angela to the hospital and had her taken care of."

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

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

*Angela 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 Quinn have a witness to defend her?"

"Yes I do," I answered excitedly. "My husband will defend me. He knew where I was on the day Angela claimed I injured her. He knows the source of my wealth, Chester 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 Chester and flashed a gentle, hopeful smile at him as my heart flooded with warmth. I loved him so much, a mere look at his face made me happy. In the midst of my turmoil, Chester was the only person I could look to. As my darling husband walked towards the court clerk, my heart rejoiced with happiness. With his testimony, all of this would soon be over.

After the oaths had been sworn, the interrogation began.

"Mr Chester Caldwell," the prosecution counsel called out sternly. "What did Miss Allegra Quinn do on the 16th day of February 2025?"

"Miss Allegra Quinn conspired with a fake candy company to sell drugs to youth," Chester answered. "She went ahead to advertise this product and promote it. When Angela Devon confronted her to challenge her for misconduct, Allegra slapped her and pushed her off the stairs."

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

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

Chester shrugged and looked away, trying to appear pained and guilty. "She is indeed a racist. She dislikes religious people."

"Chester," I rose and lurched forward but I was restrained by the policemen. "Why are you lying? What have you ever done to me?"

"Was Miss Allegra truly engaging in pornography?"

The prosecution counsel asked again and the defence 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 this is a lie. The witness is a party to the conspiracy. I beseech you, my lord, let this case we are joined, and let proper background checks be run on them."

"Miss Allegra has also been abusing substances, but dismisses my alarms. Our marriage has been a death sentence."

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

"Thank you, Mr Caldwell," 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 my 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 Angela Devon's accusation, as well as the cheque you got from the political mobsters. Miss Quinn is a criminal who is not fit to be a role model to our youth. I'll hand over the rest to the honourable 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 Allegra Quinn to 7 weeks imprisonment with 2 months of community services. Her assets will be frozen and her properties will be repossessed by the government. She is no longer to appear on the public screen!."