Rhea's Pov It was the day of the final hearing already, and time seemed to move so fast. The city itself seemed to be holding its breath. From the windows of the black car Alaric and I rode in, I could see reporters crowding every street corner near the courthouse, their cameras flashing, their microphones raised, their voices shouting questions. Inside the courtroom, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric. Rows upon rows of wooden benches overflowed with spectators, journalists, and families who had been following the Thorne-Laurent scandal since the first day it erupted. When the bailiff called order, the doors at the back of the courtroom swung open. Howard Thorne and Mr. Laurent were escorted inside. The crowd buzzed with disdain, whispers of disgust rippling across the room. Everyone knew what these men had done. Everyone knew the lives they had destroyed.The judge’s gavel came down, silencing the noise.“This is the final hearing in the case of Howard Thorne and Hen
Rhea's Pov He glanced down at me, one brow slightly raised, “You just took down two of the most powerful men in the city, and now you’re acting like a spoiled kitten.” “Mm, but I am tired.” I said, puffing my cheeks a little. I curled up sideways, resting my head on his chest, then peeked up at him, “Don’t you feel bad for me?” His lips curved, slow and dangerous, like he was holding back a laugh. He brushed a strand of hair off my face with his long fingers, his touch lingering, “You don’t look like someone who needs pity. You looked like you were born to sit in that courtroom and crush them all.” I scrunched my nose and poked his chest, “Stop saying it like that. I wasn’t ‘crushing’ anyone. I was just… proving the truth.” “And you enjoyed every second of it.” His voice dipped lower, smooth and teasing. I gasped dramatically and hid my face against him, “I did not! Do I look evil to you?” “Yes.” He answered without hesitation, his tone flat but his hand already strokin
Rhea's Pov “Yes.” The officer replied confidently, “Our department ran every document, every audio file, every witness statement through forensic analysis. The chain of custody has been intact since the materials were handed in. Nothing has been tampered with. The evidence is valid.” “And does that evidence connect Howard Thorne directly to criminal activity?” “Yes, sir. Bank records and communications tie him to multiple shell corporations that funded the trafficking ring. Furthermore, intercepted emails show coordination with members of the Laurent family.” Mr. Laurent, who had been silent until now, stiffened and avoided looking at the judge. Howard, on the other hand, nearly jumped out of his chair, his muffled yelling loud even through the gag. The guards held him down again, but his eyes were wild, like a cornered animal. The judge banged his gavel sharply, “Order! I will have silence in this courtroom!” The prosecutor nodded, satisfied, and looked toward the defense att
Rhea's Pov “You can go ahead and bring out your witnesses and recordings.” The judge said calmly and immediately, a few of the employees at Thorne's Inc stood up, and one by one they stepped into the box. “We all heard it the day Howard Thorne said he was going to disown Miss Rhea in front of everyone because she didn't want to go along with his wishes.” “Miss Rhea had given everything to the company in order to make it rise from the ground that it was going to burn in. She spent so much time and resources on the company but Howard Thorne snatched it away from her and gave it to Ginny Thorne instead.” “Howard Thorne has tried to force Miss Rhea to become Ginny Thorne's assistant in the company but when she refused, Howard Thorne disowned Miss Rhea in front of everyone while saying she would regret her decision.” After the employees had given their statements, the recording was also brought out. At that time, when Howard announced that he was going to disown me, I didn't actually
Rhea's Pov “So what you are saying now is that you no longer bear the Thorne surname because you were disowned by Howard Thorne?” The prosecutor repeated, summarizing my words. “Yes, that is what I mean.” I nodded calmly. “Do you have any proof to support your claims?” She asked again, her eyes glancing at Howard who looked like he was ready to blow up at any moment. But I guess he understood the fact that he was asking on thin ice here. “Yes I do.” I nodded and motioned for the document that had Howard's and my signature on it. It was given to both the prosecutor and the judges by which they confirmed its credibility. “Here it says that the whole thing was completed even before the Thorne's were arrested? He had disowned you before the arrest?” “Yes, your honour.” Well, no. But who's to know? After all, the date there is different from the date Howard signed it as I had it printed out the day I officially announced my dis-involvement from the Thorne company and by the way, Howa
Rhea’s Pov We stood. The judge’s gavel struck once, echoing. “Today begins the trial of Howard Thorne and Henri Laurent.” The judge announced, voice resonating through the chamber and across the livestream, “Both charged with conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, and crimes against humanity through trafficking and exploitation.” The words hit the air like thunder. People gasped, murmured, and the families of some of the victims sobbed quietly. I kept my gaze steady, fixed on Howard. He twitched when his eyes landed on me, his lips curling back into something ugly. For a second, his mouth moved, curses I couldn’t hear but understood anyway. Alaric’s hand brushed against mine, making me look away. The Thornes and Laurents were finally on trial. And I, Rhea, was here to witness every second of it. The judge’s gavel echoed again, silencing the murmurs that rolled like waves across the courtroom. The prosecutor, a sharp-eyed woman in a navy suit, stood tall at her table. She adj