Chapter 24 - The Verdict
The jury returned after six days.
Jason was found guilty of conspiracy, fraud, custodial interference, coercive control, and attempted kidnapping.
Evelyn was found guilty on every major count.
Thomas was convicted of kidnapping, attempted murder, fraud, and racketeering.
Dr. Mills was convicted of falsifying medical records.
Judge Reed was convicted in a separate federal trial.
Sienna’s plea remained under review pending sentencing.
When the verdicts were read, the courtroom became still.
Evelyn looked at Isabella.
“You think you won?”
Isabella held Noah against her chest.
“I stopped you.”
“That fortune will destroy you too.”
“No.”
Isabella glanced toward Margaret.
“Secrets almost destroyed us. The money only revealed who you were.”
Jason lowered his head.
Thomas showed no emotion.
Margaret trembled beside Isabella but remained standing.
Outside, reporters asked Isabella whether the slap started the downfall.
“No,” she said. “Their choices started it. The slap was simply the moment I stopped protecting their image.”
A journalist asked Margaret what she wanted now.
“To go home with my daughter and grandson.”
The answer sounded ordinary.
That made it powerful.
But one legal issue remained.
Cross Hospitality employed thousands of innocent workers.
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If Isabella dissolved the company, they would lose their jobs.
👉 Isabella finally controlled the empire Jason tried to steal—but justice required her to decide what should survive after him.
