The Billionaire's Rental Wife Is A Hot Shot
Chapter 169: Evelyn Was Innocent

Chapter 169: Evelyn Was Innocent

Elias who was trying to look calm suddenly broke into a thin sweat, his face paling worse than a ghost. Didn’t she commit suicide? How could they bring her here? He glanced at his sister before his eyes fell on Zevian and their lawyer Lucius. Anything was possible with the help of this mafia family.

The opposing lawyer looked at the maid with equal shock. He turned around at Sophia who had boldly claimed that she was dead and he need not worry about his moral ethics. As long as he made sure Evelyn was set as the criminal, he would be paid in chunks. But now he ever regretted fighting for Annabelle, knowing exactly the influential men that were standing with Evelyn right now.

Brianna didn’t dare to look up and walked over to Evelyn’s side. Lucius asked her to the sand in the podium and she followed, her body trembling with fear. It wasn’t the judges or the punishment that scared her but Sophia sitting across her on the table. This woman was a psychopath and no one could able to guess what new trick she played to save herself.

"What’s happening here?" The judge broke the silence and murmurs in the courtroom. A few reporters who had gotten permission quickly typed the breaking news, making sure their channel delivered it first.

"Mr. Lucius, care to explain?" The judge asked to Lucius, a deep frown tugging his face. It was clear that they had fabricated the maid’s death and it was against laws, something that could put Evelyn under scrutiny.

"Firstly, I would like to apologize to the court for lying about her death, your honor." Lucius bowed his head, and Evelyn realized he was more composed than Damien. They both matched the differences that might have been the reason why even after his sister’s death, Damien requested Lucius to stay with the Valenti family.

"Given how serious this case was, we thought her life was in danger since she was our only suspect. There would have been attempts to murder her just like Annabelle was killed, hence we fabricated her death and moved to her a much safer prison." Lucius explained in a serious tone. Sophia gritted her teeth, having overjoyed and not suspecting Brianna’s death in the prison. She simply believed the poor woman must have fallen for her manipulation and blackmail.

"But it’s still against the law!" Sophia’s lawyer defended, standing up. Looking at the judge, he continued, "They had tried to make all of us fools, Your Honor."

"Not everyone but just you, Mr. Shaw." Lucius calmly replied, a small smile on his face. Taking out the official permission letter, signed by the director of the police department, he continued, "We had informed the cops and they have permitted it."

The judge took the letter that was passed and read through it. The officials have signed and sealed it, leaving no room for any more accusations. With Theodore’s help, this was a very easy task! As much as he hated to digest it since they had gotten permission, they needed to pass it out as a small payable offense.

"If you permit me to continue," Lucius said, catching everyone’s attention again. The Judge sighed and nodded, while the reporters quickly typed it down. Now, it was all in the maid’s hand! Whatever she said would become the truth for now since she had already accepted killing Annabelle at Evelyn’s order in her first statement.

Brianna clutched the wooden podium tightly, her heart racing wildly. Lucius walked over and the court’s staff came forward to take her oath first. Once she was done, he moved closer and demanded, "So, tell us what exactly happened that night, Brianna."

Everyone anticipated Brianna’s response, the silence stretching for a few frustrating seconds. Evelyn’s hand found Zevian’s and she clutched it tightly, waiting to finally see Sophia paying for her crimes.

The old judge observed that Brianna was tensed, his glance shifting over to Evelyn and then to Annabelle’s stepmother whose expression had changed ever since this maid had stepped into the court. Adjusting his specs, he assured her, "There’s no need to fear for anyone, young lady. No one will harm you."

Brianna scoffed internally at his words. If she didn’t spill the truth, Evelyn mafia’s friends would kill her and if she did say the truth, they might just push it to another hearing and by then, she wasn’t sure Sophia would let her be alive.

"Yes, Brianna!" Suddenly Sophia’s echoed in the room. Everyone turned to her to see the woman standing up, tears trickling down her eyes. When Brianna finally looked at her, she continued, "We lost our precious daughter because of you! Please don’t do her any more justice. Tell them who ordered you to do it!"

Evelyn scoffed out loud at Sophia’s act. The reporters didn’t miss noting it down while Elias felt his head throbbing, a little annoyed that his mom was going overboard again. But he sat stiffly, well aware she was doing all of it to save him, to cover his sin of killing Annabelle!

Brianna trembled to her core, chills running down her spine. She recalled Sophia’s ultimate blackmail, one where her parents could become a target and suffer because of her mistakes. Yes, she had never cared about them but they were still her parents, her blood and she needed to protect at least if not herself.

"Speak Brianna." Lucius urged, his voice slightly tinged with irritation.

Brianna’s lips quivered, and her gaze darted between Lucius and Sophia. The air was thick with tension, each second of her silence stretching unbearably.

"I..." she began, her voice barely audible. The reporters leaned forward, their fingers hovering over keyboards, ready to break the story of the century.

"Speak clearly!" Sophia’s lawyer, Mr. Shaw, snapped, though his voice carried an edge of desperation.

Brianna flinched, gripping the edges of the podium harder. Her nails dug into the wood, betraying the storm of emotions she was barely holding together. Finally, she exhaled shakily, her words tumbling out.

"Annabelle’s death... was not Evelyn’s doing," she said, her voice trembling yet clear enough for all to hear. Gasps rippled through the courtroom, and the judge rapped his gavel to quiet the murmurs.

"Explain yourself," Lucius pressed, his tone calm but insistent, his gaze locked on Brianna with a quiet intensity.

Brianna hesitated, her eyes flickering toward Sophia. The woman’s face, once teary and sorrowful, now twisted into a mask of fury. It was fleeting, but Brianna caught it—a silent warning.

Tears welled up in Brianna’s eyes as she clenched her fists tightly. "It was me... all me," she confessed, her voice cracking. "No one told me to do it. No one ordered me."

Evelyn’s brows furrowed, her hand tightening around Zevian’s arm. "What is she saying?" Evelyn whispered, disbelief thick in her voice.

Brianna’s head hung low as she continued, her voice growing louder, desperate to be heard. "Annabelle’s death... I planned it all. Just like it was written in that note, it was my doing. No one else is responsible." Her knees wobbled, and she clutched the podium as though it was the only thing keeping her upright.

"I’m guilty! Punish me! Kill me for my crime, Your Honor!"

Her cries filled the courtroom, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence. Lucius blinked, stunned. He turned to Evelyn, whose shock mirrored his own. On the other side, Sophia let out a barely audible sigh of relief, her expression softening.

Elias sat straighter in his seat, his pale face regaining a hint of color. Just like he was promised by his mother, both he and his sister easily got of this case. Next to him, Sophia’s lips curved ever so slightly—a victorious smirk she quickly masked with a look of sorrow.

The judge cleared his throat, his gavel coming down sharply. "Silence!" he barked, before turning his stern gaze on Brianna. "Miss Brianna, are you aware of the consequences of this confession?"

"Yes!" Brianna cried, sobbing uncontrollably. "I accept it all. I deserve to be punished! I deserve to die for what I did to Annabelle! I deserve it for framing Evelyn who is innocent!"

Lucius, however, narrowed his eyes. Something was off. Why was Brianna suddenly protecting Sophia? His mind raced for answers, but the judge’s next words interrupted his thoughts.

"The court has heard enough for today," the judge declared, his tone final. "Miss Evelyn, you are hereby declared innocent in this case. As for Miss Brianna, you will be detained and must secure legal representation for the next hearing. This court is adjourned."

The gavel slammed down, sealing the verdict. It seemed like he had already prepared to say this since he was a close ally to Sophia.

Evelyn sat frozen in her seat, her mind spinning. Innocent. The word echoed hollowly in her ears. But at what cost?

As the courtroom emptied, Sophia wasted no time. She hurried toward Evelyn, throwing her arms around her in an exaggerated display of emotion. Cameras clicked furiously, reporters jostling for the perfect shot.

"I’m so sorry, Evelyn," Sophia cried loudly, her voice trembling with mock sincerity. "I’m so sorry we doubted you! How could you even kill someone?! We are ashamed of believing the lies!"

Evelyn stiffened, her entire body recoiling from Sophia’s touch. "Get off me," she hissed, but Sophia held on tighter.

"We had no idea Brianna killed Annabelle and tried to pull you into it," Sophia continued, her voice carrying over the crowd. Reporters scribbled furiously, catching every word.

Zevian’s hand reached for Evelyn’s, his subtle squeeze grounding her. "Don’t react," he murmured, his tone low.

Sophia leaned closer, her voice dropping so only Evelyn could hear. "Try everything in your hand, Evelyn. But you won’t be able to step on me."

Evelyn’s eyes blazed with fury, but she forced herself to remain calm. Sophia pulled back just enough to offer a sinister smile. "It was smart of you to trick me into believing Annabelle wasn’t dead and search for her while you saved this maid. But it all went in vain."

Evelyn scoffed, her composure slipping. She shoved Sophia back, breaking the forced embrace. "Well, not exactly," she said, her tone icy.

Sophia’s smirk faltered. "What are you talking about?"

Evelyn stepped closer, her voice low but firm. "I will make sure you pay for your sins, Sophia."

Without another glance, Evelyn turned and strode out of the courtroom, her head held high. Zevian and Lucius followed closely behind, his expression dark and unreadable.

The reporters swarmed Sophia, but she ignored their questions, her eyes narrowing as she watched Evelyn disappear away. Her heart raced at her confidence.

What else could Evelyn have to prove her sins? Her thoughts reeled down to just one thought! No, way! Did Maverick fail in his job again? Did she find out Gracia?!

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