Chapter 308

Nathaniel stepped out to contact the witnesses.

Gabrielle rose from her seat, arms crossed defiantly as she approached Evelyn. "Don't think hiring some hotshot lawyer will clear your name!" she hissed with faux sweetness. "How dare you arrange that attack on Amelia? Samuel will make sure you pay for this! My advice? Stop fighting and take your punishment like a good girl. Maybe they'll go easier on you if you cooperate."

Evelyn barely glanced up, utterly bored by Gabrielle's pathetic attempts at provocation.

The dismissal infuriated Gabrielle. No matter what she said or did, Evelyn remained unshakable - that infuriating calm making Gabrielle itch to slap her just to see if she'd finally react.

Nearby, Benjamin watched Evelyn with smoldering eyes full of conflicting emotions - disappointment, anger, and something more complicated.

Amelia turned her head weakly from Samuel's embrace. "Gabrielle's right, Evelyn," she said with practiced concern. "If you confess, I'll convince Samuel to request leniency. Making a scene will only make things worse for you."

Evelyn's lips curled. "Why are you and your little friend so desperate to stop me from 'making a scene'?"

Amelia's eyes flickered. "I'm just trying to help you, Evelyn. I don't want you to-"

"Save it," Evelyn interrupted, closing her eyes dismissively.

Samuel's protective instincts flared at his sister's distress. "After what you did for our grandfather, I was willing to show mercy," he said coldly. "But keep pushing, and you'll regret it."

Evelyn yawned dramatically. "How generous. Unfortunately, I don't do regrets. Bring it on."

Samuel studied her fearless expression with frustration. 'What kind of upbringing creates a woman this brazen instead of proper and refined?'

"Don't waste your breath on her, Samuel!" Gabrielle snapped. "She's just some backwater hick who doesn't understand consequences. Let her cry when the judge slams her with maximum sentencing!"

The door burst open before Gabrielle could continue. A young boy rushed toward the handcuffed Daniel Carter.

"Dad!" The child tried to hug his father but froze when he saw the restraints. "Why are you in handcuffs? Only bad guys get handcuffed on TV! Did you do something bad?"

Daniel's tough facade shattered at the sight of his son. He hung his head in shame. "I... I didn't mean to, son..."