Chapter 16
Two weeks later, the preliminary hearing for Julian Vance commenced at the federal courthouse in Manhattan.
A massive crowd of spectators, reporters, and legal observers packed the mahogany-paneled courtroom.
Evelyn walked down the center aisle wearing a sharp navy blue suit, moving with complete athletic confidence.
She took her seat in the front row alongside Elena, Leo, and her lead legal counsel.
Julian was ushered in by armed federal marshals, wearing an orange jumpsuit and heavy wrist chains.
He looked gaunt, hollow, and utterly defeated, his former charm completely stripped away.
When his dark eyes landed on Evelyn standing on her own feet, a flash of bitter envy crossed his face.
The judge slammed his heavy wooden gavel, demanding order as the formal charges were read aloud.
The prosecutor listed over thirty felony counts, including human trafficking, illegal experimentation, and attempted murder.
When asked to enter a plea, Julian's defense attorney stood up slowly with a dejected expression.
"My client wishes to enter a plea of guilty to all counts, Your Honor," the attorney announced.
Gasping swept through the courtroom gallery like a sudden gust of wind.
Julian kept his head down, refusing to look at the jury or the media cameras flashing nearby.
The judge accepted the plea, scheduling the formal sentencing hearing for the following month.
As marshals turned Julian around to lead him back to the holding cells, Evelyn stood up slowly.
Julian paused for a brief second, meeting her intense green gaze across the wooden railing.
May you like
"You won, Evelyn," Julian muttered bitterly through his cracked lips.
"I won because I stopped being afraid of you," Evelyn replied in a clear, resonant voice.
