Chapter 11 - THE ARRAIGNMENT HEARING
The downtown county courthouse buzzed with high-stakes tension under its towering neoclassical pillars.
A sea of camera flashes illuminated the stone steps as Evelyn and Jessica were led inside in orange jumpsuits.
Chloe walked into the courtroom gallery on the arm of her legal counsel, wearing a sharp black blazer over a white blouse.
She looked entirely different from the terrified girl trapped in the bedroom; her posture was unyielding and resolute.
Judge Arthur Henderson banged his wooden gavel, silencing the murmurs rippling through the crowded gallery.
"We are here for the arraignment of Evelyn Miller and Jessica Miller on charges of attempted first-degree murder," the judge announced.
Evelyn glared across the courtroom at Chloe, her eyes burning with an intense, unrepentant hatred.
Jessica kept her head bowed low, weeping softly into her cuffed hands as the formal charges were read aloud.
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"How do the defendants plead?" Judge Henderson asked, peering down from his elevated mahogany bench.
"Not guilty, Your Honor," their high-priced defense attorney lied smoothly, stepping forward with feigned confidence.
