Chapter 125

[Evelyn’s POV]

I really didn’t like the way the Alpha King was addressing Alexander. I knew the man was older, but there was truly no need for him to speak in such a condescending tone.

Since I grew up with similar behavior from Isabella and Samantha, I knew that it all stemmed from insecurity. Knowing that the Alpha King had initially found Alexander as a threat to his reign prior to the car accident, it was clear that not much had changed.

But Alexander took the King’s pompous behavior in stride and didn't make much of it. Instead, he silently glanced in my direction and gave a sharp nod, signaling me to present the court with the found video evidence.

“Your Majesty, your Honor, may I present the evidence that was uncovered at the mechanic shop the day the vehicle had been purposely tampered with?”

Both men nodded and I graciously stepped up to the bench. I held the tablet firmly in my hands and showed them the clear, irrefutable coverage of Michael shouting at the poor mechanic and tossing a wad of money at the man.

The judge was stunned. The Alpha King, on the other hand, appeared deeply disturbed by the scene. From there, I repeated the same action over to the jury and showed them the exact same footage. Many of them were at a loss for words.

“Why on earth would your Stepbrother act on such insidious crimes?” the judge asked. “What is his motive?”

“Micahel has always felt as though I stole the title of Alpha from him when our parents married. Naturally, it would have gone to him had his mother, Caroline not married my father. But as the traditional birthright entails, the title and responsibility of Alpha are passed down from the father to the direct son.”

“You’re saying that he did this all out of jealousy?”

“Correct,” he affirmed. “I can tell you all right now, his initial plans weren’t to have me maimed. Michael wanted me out of the picture entirely so that he could step in as the new Alpha of the family. His actions caused a lot more than my current physical state.”

“Yes, I recall from a few of the articles that had come out, that you’d lost your driver that day,” the judge stated.

“Indeed, he was a good man and a loyal friend,” he said. “But what I’m truly referring to is the other innocent victim whose life had been horrifically altered because of Michael’s insanity. Evelyn, if you would.”

This time, I’d approached the main bench with the small article Oliver had found, regarding my brother’s side of the accident. The judge and the Alpha King’s eyes widened when they made the immediate connection.

“Edward Silverwood.”

“My brother,” I confirmed weakly. “Believe me, I too was shocked over this discovery that both my family’s tragic case and my husband’s had intertwined in such a way.”

“Edward Silverwood has been tirelessly battling for his own life, having been ejected off his own motorcycle when the car crashed into him. He is currently trapped in a comatose state.”

I fought back the tears that always wanted to come through every time the topic of my brother came up. None of this was being mentioned for the sake of receiving pity or sympathy. The whole point was to emphasize just how uncensored Michael was to the general public when it came to safety.

“The accused will now address the council,” the judge issued.

My stomach churned as one of the side doors opened. Oliver stepped out first, followed by an annoyed-looking Michael and two armed guards.

I refused to meet Michael’s burning glare as he, no doubt, placed his attention on Alexander and me. I heard him let out a dry, sniveling laugh.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me? You’re still putting on that ridiculous act?” he spat.

“What act?” Alexander questioned dubiously.

Michael snarled. “The whole ‘pretending to be stuck in a wheelchair’ act, you pretentious bastard.”

Alexander turned to speak to the judge. “Your Honor, I have no idea what he’s implying. Everyone knows that I’ve been bound to a wheelchair since the accident. In that same file, I have all the confirmation from my doctor to ensure that I am entirely incapable of standing on my own feet.”

At that moment, I felt as though it was my responsibility to step up and back Alexander’s story.

“Your Honor, as Alexander’s wife, surely my own testimony on the matter is worth something, is it not?” I asked lightly. “I can assure you and everyone else here that Alexander is not capable of walking as his Stepbrother is insinuating.”

Oh my God. I just lied in court. I just lied in front of an actual judge and the goddamn Alpha King.

I was praying for this whole thing to be over and done with before my anxiety would knowingly get the better of me.

“Remember my earlier statement, your Honor?” Alexander asked with a knowing look.

The judge slowly nodded and let out a long even breath.

“Will the defendant please stand before the court?” He sized Michael up and down with an indiscernible look. “Michael Kingston, we have been presented with a rather alarming case regarding your actions against your Stepbrother, Alexander’s Kingston. Before the jury meets to decide whether or not you are guilty of these crimes, do you have anything to say in your own defense?”

“Yes, actually,” he hissed. “I think anyone who believes Alexander to be a nobleman is nothing short of a fool.”

And with that, the jury got up and headed into the backroom to discuss.

...

The decision took no more than ten minutes, give or take.

During that time, I kept my head down and still refused to give Michael even an ounce of my attention. From the moment I had walked away from that holding cell, he became dead to me. But in the meantime, my nerves were still jittery as all hell.

As soon as the jury returned we all turned our attention to them and awaited the verdict.

“We the jury find the Defendant—Michael Kingston, guilty on all charges.”

“What?! You cannot be serious! What the hell kind of bullshit evidence did he even show you?!”

The judge hastily slammed the head of his gavel down on the corner of the bench.

“I will demand order in this courtroom,” he declared loudly. “Michael Kingston, you are hereby charged with the premeditated murder against your own Stepbrother, Alexander Kingston, as well as the murder in the first degree of the driver who lost his life due to your heinous plans. You are clearly unstable and a danger to the public. The court sentences you to life imprisonment as well as continuous psych-evaluations for the foreseeable future.”

We all went still as the judge slammed the gavel down for the final time.

“This case is now dismissed.”

Finally, it felt as though all the air rushed back to my lungs and I was able to breathe easily again. As I turned my head to find Alexander, I watched as the guards haul a distressed, pale-looking Michael out of the courtroom.

Alexander came to my side and took my hand. “Ready to go home?”

“More than you can imagine,” I whispered to him.

I wanted to believe that the nightmare was over, but there was a grizzly sensation in the back of my mind that was telling me it was only the beginning.