Her Return, His Regret novel Chapter 164

After weeks of undergoing trial, Celeste, Ivy and Ivy’s parents sat in the courtroom, waiting for the judge to deliver the verdict.

The courtroom was filled with thick tension as everyone waited to see what would become of the four criminals.

Ryan glanced at Jason who sat next to him and asked in a low voice, “Are you sure you’re ok being here?”

Jason sighed, sadness creeping into him as he replied, “I’m not ok but I need to be here. There’s nothing I can do since mom made her own decisions. I’ll respect whatever decision the judge makes.”

Ryan nodded, feeling bad for Jason. It must have been tough for him to watch his mother being referred to as a criminal. However, it was what Celeste deserved for what she had done.

He shared a look with Lora who was seated on his other side and she nodded at him, smiling in encouragement. She leaned in and whispered, “Today, we will get rid of the bad guys. Once they are locked up, we will be free from schemes and threats.”

Ryan smiled, squeezing her hand gently before bringing his attention back to the front.

Diane, Charles and Miles were seated on the same row, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and resolve.

Miles felt a little sad for Jason and Isabella. No matter what, Celeste was their mother. But she was evil and he was glad she would stay away from them for good. He had finalised his divorce with her and was now a free man.

At the same time, Celeste kept her icy glare on Ryan. Her eyes were filled with so much hatred and if her eyes could shoot fire, Ryan would be dead by now.

She was not the only one who was shooting daggers at Ryan. Ivy Williams was also glaring at Ryan and Lora. Her eyes fell on their intertwined hands and anger bubbled up in her chest.

How dare they show up there to mock her? Were trying to shove how happy they were in her face?

Ivy clenched her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She wished she could rush towards Ryan and Lora’s side and stab them a thousand times.

The judge’s voice cut through the silence. “After putting into consideration all the evidence submitted and all the testimonies given by witnesses, the court finds the defendants, Celeste Anderson, Ivy Williams, Celine Williams and David Williams, guilty on the following counts, kidnapping, attempted murder and conspiracy.”

“What? I’m not guilty!” Celeste exclaimed. She glared at the judge and pointed at her, “You! Have you been bribed by the Kingsleys?”

Gasps echoed around the courtroom at Celeste’s behavior.

“Miss Anderson, please refrain from disrupting the court proceedings or I’ll add contempt of court to your crimes,” the judge warned.

When the courtroom was quiet again, the judge continued, “Ivy Williams' arson charge has been proven beyond reasonable doubt, thus adding to her sentence.”

“As a first-time offender, Isabella Kingsley’s involvement in the conspiracy had been considered separately. She is hereby sentenced to a one-year suspended sentence. This sentence will be reinstated if the defendant commits a crime within this one year.”

Isabella who was seated near the criminals let out a sigh of relief. She glanced at her family and tears blurred her eyes. Ryan and Jason had hired a powerful lawyer who pleaded her case.

“This court sentences Celeste Anderson, Celine Williams and David Williams to twenty years imprisonment. Whereas, Ivy Williams gets life imprisonment befitting the gravity of her crimes,” the judge concluded.

Ivy’s eyes widened as she stared blankly at nothing. Life imprisonment?