Written Off as Trash, I Activated My Hidden Queen Mode novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81 Derek Sentenced to Death

+5 Pearis

At those words, Derek lost control of his bladder. A dark stain spread across the front of his pants, and the sharp stench of urine filled the courtroom.

“The defendant is hereby sentenced to death, to be carried out in thirty days. Restitution in the amount of one million dollars is to be paid to the victim, Miss Shaw, along with an additional two hundred eighty thousand dollars for pain and suffering.”

Derek’s eyes went wide with shock as his legs gave out, sending him crashing to the floor.

Death penalty.

There was no way this was happening.

He’d followed plenty of similar cases over the years–none of them had ended with a death sentence. This couldn’t be real.

“I’m filing an appeal.”

Ruby and Jasmine stood frozen, their faces pale.

They’d braced themselves for serious time, but execution? That thought had never crossed their minds.

And the money they’d have to pay Stella–where was that supposed to come from now? The Harlow family was practically broke.

“Dad…”

“Jasmine, find me a lawyer. The best one money can buy.”

As the bailiffs led him away in handcuffs, Derek broke down completely, tears streaming down his face.

His gaze met Stella’s cold, steady stare, and for the first time, genuine terror gripped his heart.

A monster. She was a monster.

He never should’ve sent her to that convent all those years ago. He should’ve finished the job then and there.

Regret consumed him.

Vincent and Frederick sat in the gallery, watching everything unfold. A heavy weight settled in their chests.

If his own aunt had crossed paths with someone so twisted… the thought was too horrifying to complete.

But the timing of this revelation left both men shaken to their core.

Vincent’s face had gone ashen. He fumbled for his medication, hands trembling, and only began to breathe normally again after swallowing the pills.

ndpa…”

9:50 am PPPP

Chapter 81 Derek Sentenced to Death

+5 Pearls

“Take me home.”

The weight of it all was crushing him.

He couldn’t stop picturing his own daughter Nicole in Luna’s place–a possibility that shattered something inside him. He needed space. He needed to pull himself together.

“Yeah. Let’s head back.”

Frederick steadied his grandfather, helping him rise. But an uneasy feeling prickled at the back of his neck, like eyes boring into him. He turned instinctively.

His gaze locked with Stella’s. Her eyes were slightly red–rimmed, soft with what looked like concern. Something twisted in his chest. He drew a slow breath, steadied himself, nodded once in her direction, and walked out.

“Mr. Cross you totally abused your authority to help her,” Jasmine shouted, storming after them. “Where’s the i

that?”

himself in front ed to swallow all

is expression darkening until his eyes resembled bottomless eer menace rolling off him made several people step back

e stumbled

he exit, sh

his sho

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er haste to get away.

ce to catch up.

ot by a long shot.

with Derek’s case. Several othe

s connected to White Pit Village

afficking network received se

eration had drawn massiv

a stepped outside, rep

ideon lingering ne

p his hands help

ese people

om five to fifteen years.

public and media alike.

ke locusts. Elias‘ jaw tightened, and he shot a

posed to do against a crowd this size?

ersonally.

of Mr. Cross‘ influence?”

ich outlet did you say you’re with?”

ss for words.

that your way of saying trafficking isn’t a real crime? That keeping

9:50 am p p pp.

them, even killing them that did at should come with no

+5 Pearls

Chapter 81 Derek Sentenced

the reporter in seconds seconds.

ption. You’re just going to letoint to let that slide?”

rs, creating a barrier hetwers between her and the chaos.

almost tender–but when but when his gaze shifted to the reporter, his

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