Cardi B walked out of a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday (September 2) with a clean slate and a sharp warning after a jury found her not liable in a civil assault case brought by former security guard Emani Ellis.

The 12-person jury needed less than an hour to unanimously side with the Grammy-winning rapper, rejecting Ellis’ claims that she was scratched, spat on and verbally attacked outside a Beverly Hills OB-GYN office in 2018 while Cardi B was pregnant. The Bronx native testified that the confrontation was verbal only and that Ellis had crossed the line by filming her without permission during a private medical visit. Ellis maintained her version of events and said through her attorney that she plans to appeal the decision. But for Cardi B, the verdict wasn’t just a win—it was a turning point. She made it clear she’s done playing nice with people she believes are trying to cash in on her name.

This isn’t the first time Cardi B has come out on top in court. In 2022, she won a defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Tasha K, who spread false claims about her personal life. That case ended with a jury awarding Cardi B more than $4 million, including $1.3 million in legal fees.