Chapter 210

Damian Chamberlain was about to speak when the courtroom doors swung open.

Sophia Durand and Lily Savigny were escorted in by bailiffs, their faces ashen, steps unsteady.

"Miss Valentine," Damian murmured, "you can say whatever you need to today."

Stella clenched her fists.

Mr. Alistair had been elusive these past few days. Whenever she asked about evidence, he'd only reassured her with two words: "Trust me."

"Is Adrian here?"

Damian gestured toward the back. "In the gallery."

The cavernous courtroom stood nearly empty, save for Adrian Roland and his assistant Jason Macmillan sitting conspicuously in the spectator seats.

Jason whispered something to Adrian, whose head snapped up, gaze burning with intensity.

Stella turned away, focusing on the defendants' table.

In mere days, the once-arrogant mother and daughter had withered into hollow shells.

The prosecutor's voice rang out like steel. "Surveillance footage confirms Lily Savigny was the only person entering the villa at the time of the incident. When Martha Clementson fell, Miss Valentine was in her second-floor bedroom."

He held up an evidence bag. "Flour from Martha's wonton dough was found on Lily's clothing. DNA analysis confirms it's a match."

"Roof footprint analysis proves Martha was pushed. Lily's shoe prints intersect with the victim's and show the most recent activity."

The judge leafed through the thick stack of evidence.

Stella accepted the documents Damian handed her, fingers trembling. Screenshots, footprint analysis, physics calculations—each piece of evidence drove another nail into Lily's coffin.

"Thank you..." Her voice cracked.

"Does Miss Valentine wish to add anything?"

"Yes!" Stella shot to her feet. "Six years ago, my father's car accident—Lily tampered with the vehicles at the dealership!"

Lily sprang up shrieking. "Lies!"

"The evidence speaks for itself." Damian presented new documents. "Both vehicles' brake systems were sabotaged. Service records show Lily was on duty that day."

Lily's glare locked onto the gallery. "Adrian! You helped her, didn't you?"

"Irrelevant to this case." The judge's gavel fell.

The prosecutor scanned the new evidence. "This confirms the crash six years ago was premeditated murder."

After lengthy deliberation, the panel accepted all evidence.

Damian then unleashed a barrage of damning revelations:

Medical records proving Luna was fed alcohol

Evidence Ethan's neonatal sepsis resulted from deliberate infection

Ironclad proof of Sophia embezzling from Shi's Jewelry

Stella stared at Damian in shock.

"These arrived anonymously," he said meaningfully. "Perhaps from others they've wronged."

Suddenly, Stella understood.

Mr. Alistair had compiled their crimes all along. The families of wealthy men they'd swindled had secretly gathered evidence.

Only three forces could orchestrate this: Adrian, the Valois family, or...

"Judgment is rendered." The judge's voice filled the courtroom. "Lily Savigny is convicted of premeditated murder and assault. Sophia Durand is convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, fraud..."