Chapter 6 - The Trial of the Serpents
Six months later.
The New York State Supreme Courthouse was packed to capacity for the trial of Evelyn Thorne and Carter Thorne.
The story had dominated international news headlines for months: BILLIONAIRE STEP-MOTHER ARRESTED FOR ENSLAVING HEIRESS IN MANHATTAN MANSION.
Maya sat in the front row of the courtroom, wearing an elegant dark green dress suit, flanked by Julian and Arthur. She looked poised, strong, and completely restored.
At the defense table sat Evelyn and Carter, both wearing orange prison jumpsuits. Evelyn had aged ten years in six months; her high-fashion grace was completely gone, replaced by a sunken, hopeless stare. Carter sat beside her, trembling nervously as the prosecution presented a mountain of undisputed video and financial evidence.
The judge, a stern elderly woman with an unyielding reputation, slammed her wooden gavel onto the bench.
"Evelyn Thorne," the judge declared, her voice booming across the silent room. "For the charges of grand larceny, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit labor trafficking, and felony child endangerment: you are hereby sentenced to thirty-two years in the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility without the possibility of parole."
The judge turned her gaze to Carter.
"Carter Thorne," she continued. "For your active participation in extortion, physical abuse, and corporate embezzlement: you are sentenced to eighteen years at the Sing Sing Maximum Security Facility."
Evelyn collapsed onto the table, sobbing hysterically as court officers pulled her up by her arms. Carter began to scream, flailing against the guards as iron chains were wrapped around his waist and ankles.
May you like
As they were led past the gallery toward the side door, Evelyn raised her tearful eyes, looking directly at Maya.
Maya didn't flinch. She didn't glare, and she didn't celebrate. She simply watched them with a calm, dignified peace, knowing that the dark shadows of her past had finally been swept away by justice.
