His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 586

The once tranquil hallway was now shattered by the thunderous footsteps of the Abernathy entourage.

Frederic, his face as cold as a winter's frost and eyes bloodshot, marched forward, radiating an icy fury with each determined step. Those trailing in the wake of the Abernathy Group didn't dare draw a breath too loudly.

Dennis followed closely behind Frederic, keeping a stiff upper lip, yet inside, he was riding a wave of satisfaction after the court session.

He'd held his tongue for far too long.

Day in and day out, Dennis watched as Elspeth enjoyed all that should have belonged to the late Mrs. Winter. As a secretary, he had no choice but to bow and scrape, offering Elspeth reluctant respect, which gnawed at him, brewing a silent resentment.

But, thank heavens, justice seemed to finally be on the horizon.

"Mr. Abernathy," Dennis ventured cautiously, feigning concern. "The verdict will be announced at three. Is there anything else you need to set in motion before then? If you have a plan, I'm at your service."

Before he could finish, Frederic's glare cut through him like a blade of ice. His voice, raw and sharp as if torn asunder, he hissed, "Have I lost my mind, or have you? Why on earth would I lift a finger to save a despicable, vile murderess? She killed Cynthia! She took the life of the woman I loved most! Save her? I'd rather strangle her with my bare hands right now!"

Despite the crowd in the hallway, a deathly silence ensued.

Dennis immediately positioned himself to the side, his heart finally settling, whispering, "Yes, understood."

Frederic advanced a few more steps when suddenly Glynnis collided with him, distraught and disoriented.

"Daddy."

Glynnis froze, her body rigid as she stood before the brooding man. Her heart fluttered in panic, her legs trembling beneath her skirt.

Frederic, expressionless, stepped closer.

"Daddy, my mom. Ah!"

Smack!

Frederic's hand struck Glynnis with such force she tumbled to the floor, stars exploding in her vision, unable to stand.

But more painful than the sting on her cheek was the shattering of her pride.

In front of all these members of the Abernathy Group, her father spared her no dignity, his hand as heavy as if he were unleashing his fury for Elspeth upon her.

"You heartless creature! How dare you show your face to me?"

The fury in Frederic's eyes was blood-red as he shook with rage. "Both daughters of the Abernathy family, yet why is your sister so pure, so kind and you, a colossal disappointment! Always causing trouble, and as you grew, you couldn't tell right from wrong, just led around by that witch's nose!"

His anger surged as he spat out each word, feeling his decades of effort washed away, wishing he could end this harbinger of doom himself.

"Glynnis! As my daughter, you were raised in the lap of luxury, my hopes for you were high, my care for you exceeded that for your sister! Yet behind my back, what have you and your devil of a mother done!"

"Daddy. I didn't know. I knew nothing." Glynnis clutched her burning cheek, her eyes swimming with tears, feigning innocence and pity.

"The courtroom recordings spoke volumes, everyone heard!"

Frederic, struggling to breathe with rage, clenched his teeth and hissed, "Others might not recognize your voice, but do you think I wouldn't? From the start, you knew everything Elspeth was up to, about the hit! Not only did you not tell me, you even helped her conceal it? Have you lost your mind?"

"No, it's not like that."

"Do you realize you're an accessory, an accomplice! Do you want to follow Elspeth's path straight to jail?"

Glynnis, terrified, fell to Frederic's feet, her tear-streaked face lifted in a desperate plea, her hands wringing together like a fly in agony.

"Daddy! I admit my mistake. I truly see it now! I did those things because she forced me! She's my mother. When she told me to do something, I couldn't refuse! It was foolish loyalty. I was confused! Please, you mustn't let me go to jail! I'm your own daughter, could you really bear to see me locked up? Besides, our family, the Abernathy name can't withstand another scandal. The Chambers family crumbled from less, do you really want to see your empire, the Abernathy Group, suffer the same fate?"

Frederic's eyes narrowed, and with a fierce shout, he bellowed, "Get away from me!"

Glynnis scrambled aside, as if she were a servant making way for the emperor, watching as Frederic's imposing figure marched past.

The Abernathy family was nowhere to be seen, not even Glynnis had the gall to show her face.

Elspeth and Ward, handcuffed and devoid of dignity, were escorted back into their metallic cages.

Through the cold bars, Elspeth's disheveled hair framed her numb expression as she glanced over the gallery. The sight of only the Ashbourne family members twisted her features into a grotesque laugh.

Ivan, his brows knotted, rapped his gavel, his voice cutting through the silence, "Order! The defendant will remain silent!"

Cedric could barely maintain his composure, looking as if he might crumble at the slightest breeze.

Jason, supporting Erica's grandmother, eased the elderly woman into the plaintiff's bench, patting her back gently to soothe her frayed nerves.

The octogenarian had barely eaten at lunch after the morning's tumultuous session, holding on for the court's final verdict on the pair of monsters.

Jason's heart ached at the sight. He had prepared tirelessly for this trial, vowing to do his utmost to see Elspeth brought to justice.

But he knew all too well that his efforts alone were not enough. Without the cunning strategies of Evadne and Thaddeus, Elspeth would never have confessed.

People noticed a slight change in Ivan as he approached the bench this time – he was wearing glasses. Those close to him knew that Ivan, usually concerned about appearances and suffering from severe myopia, only wore glasses on very serious and important occasions, as a personal ritual.

The courtroom hushed as Ivan stood solemnly, holding the verdict in his hands, his voice resolute and clear.

"Let me now announce the verdict for the defendant, Ward, charged with premeditated murder."

Everyone held their breath, but Ward's expression was oddly serene. He knew that with his foreign status and Elspeth sharing the blame, he’d probably serve a twenty-year sentence before being deported back to his home country. Even at fifty, he'd still have life ahead of him.

Ward's lips twitched with a dark satisfaction at the thought.

Ivan paused, then continued with gravity, "The District Court for the District of Elmsworth finds that the defendant Ward, having murdered the victim for financial gain and fleeing abroad, is guilty of heinous and egregious conduct, with severe repercussions for society at large. The gravity of the crime necessitates severe punishment. Accordingly, for the crime of premeditated murder, the defendant Ward is sentenced to death, deprived of all political rights for life, and his assets are to be confiscated in their entirety."