Chapter 338 - 325: The Verdict

The trial reached a fever pitch. Byron Shaw called a witness to the stand.

Everyone present recognized this witness.

It was Quincy Rhodes, the mayor of Portmire, who was in the middle of an active campaign.

Quincy Rhodes was Connor Donovan’s wife; she ought to have a clear understanding of what happened back then.

At Byron Shaw’s request, Quincy Rhodes recounted the events leading up to the car crash in meticulous detail, leaving nothing out.

Finally, she became emotional. The powerful woman began to shed tears in front of everyone. "I thought my husband’s death was an accident..."

The rest of her words were lost in her choked sobs, but her meaning was self-evident.

Back when Connor Donovan was still alive, the two families had been on excellent terms. Elliot Sheridan was even supposed to marry Joanne Donovan.

But then the sudden accident occurred, causing their wedding to be repeatedly postponed. Later, they called off the engagement, and Elliot Sheridan married another woman.

Byron Shaw asked, "At the time, why was your husband driving the defendant’s car?"

"Because my car had just run out of gas."

"After that, your husband drove that car and got into an accident on the way, correct?"

"Yes!"

Byron Shaw then asked a few more questions, which Quincy Rhodes answered one by one.

"Your Honor, I have no further questions."

The judge looked up. Elliot Sheridan’s defense attorney spoke up, "Your Honor, I’d like to ask the witness a few questions."

"You may."

"May I ask, where was your husband going when he drove the car?"

"That day, we were guests at the Sheridan family’s home. I had intended to bring a gift, but I forgot to grab it when I left the house, so I asked my husband to go back and get it."

"So you waited until after you arrived at the defendant’s home to have your husband drive back for it?"

"Yes."

"Why is that? Giving a gift isn’t usually so urgent. You could have brought it another time."

"Because this gift was very important."

"A car’s dashboard displays the fuel level. Why didn’t you notice that your car was out of gas?"

"I wasn’t paying much attention at the time. I thought there was still gas."

"So how did you figure it out later?"

"I only saw it when I tried to start the car later."

"Thank you. I have no further questions."

Regarding the case of Connor Donovan’s car accident, although Byron Shaw seemed to have the upper hand, Elliot’s side was holding its own.

Both sides had their own valid arguments, and the judge and jury found it difficult to reach an immediate verdict.

The judge called for a thirty-minute recess.

Everyone’s heart was in their throat. In thirty minutes, they would know the result.

Thirty minutes passed in nail-biting suspense before the judge returned to his seat.

Next, the judge would announce the verdict.

Georgia Thorne was so nervous she could hear her own heart pounding wildly—THUMP, THUMP, THUMP—as if it were about to leap out of her throat.

The judge summarized the arguments from both defense attorneys, delivering a long, drawn-out speech before finally saying, "This court hereby finds the defendant, Elliot Sheridan, guilty of intentional homicide and fleeing the scene of the crime. Given the severity of the circumstances, he is sentenced to thirty years in prison!"

As the words fell, it felt as though the gavel had smashed a bleeding hole straight through her heart. Her world went black. In the surrounding darkness, her eyes saw only Elliot Sheridan.

’How could this be? Just last night, he was whispering in my ear, swearing that he would be fine!’

Sitting beside her, Sharon Ennis couldn’t bear the verdict and fainted.

James Sheridan and Carter Sheridan quickly rushed Sharon Ennis to the hospital. Georgia Thorne stood frozen in place, lost and utterly bewildered.

Selena Sheridan comforted her from the side, "Georgia, don’t be too sad. There has to be another way!"

The reporters in the gallery seized the chance to snap a few more photos of Elliot Sheridan before rushing toward Georgia Thorne, eager to interview her about her feelings at that moment.

Her feelings at that moment... she truly couldn’t put them into words. They were indescribable.

A mix of bitterness and grievance.

Yet, not a single tear would fall. She just stood there numbly until Sam Yates escorted the two of them away.

Georgia wanted to see Elliot, to demand why everything had changed when he had promised her everything would be fine last night.

’Promises are truly not to be trusted.’

Georgia was stopped by the police. "After the verdict is delivered, inmates cannot have visitors for a month. Mrs. Sheridan, please don’t make things difficult for us."

’A month from now... that feels like a lifetime.’

Georgia stood dejectedly at the entrance. She didn’t even have the chance to question him now.

After the court adjourned, Justin Sullivan and Byron Shaw walked out together.

Justin Sullivan noticed her first. He believed that only by extinguishing the hope in Georgia Thorne’s heart could he have any hope of his own.

’Elliot Sheridan must disappear!’

Getting rid of Elliot felt like a great weight had been lifted from his chest.

His mood suddenly lightened, and he strode purposefully toward Georgia Thorne.

Selena Sheridan secretly tugged hard on her sleeve. Georgia lifted her head, her gaze meeting Justin Sullivan’s as he approached.

Her unfamiliar gaze was icy. Ignoring Justin Sullivan, she turned her head and said to Selena Sheridan, "Selena, let’s go see Mom."

Selena Sheridan’s eyes darted back and forth between Georgia and Justin Sullivan before she hesitantly said, "Okay!"

They turned and walked toward the car.

"Georgia Thorne!" Justin Sullivan called out her name, quickening his pace to follow.

Sam Yates, who was handling the situation, blocked his path. "Sorry."

Justin Sullivan was forced to stop. Sam Yates gave him a warning look, then got into the car.

He watched, resentful, as the car drove away and disappeared from sight.

’Even with Elliot taken down, Georgia is still surrounded by his people.’

’No, Elliot hasn’t truly fallen yet. There are more important things for me to do.’

His clenched fists could hardly contain his anger. Byron Shaw walked up from behind him.

"Why must you force something that isn’t right for you?"

To be honest, Byron Shaw felt guilty toward Georgia Thorne.

He might have regrets, but he also had his professional ethics.

When he first took on Justin Sullivan’s case, there were still too many uncertainties between Georgia and Elliot.

Then, who would have known she’d recover her memory so quickly.

It had led to this awkward outcome. He feared Georgia would now be even less likely to accept him and Naomi Shaw.

"You’re not me. How would you know if she and I are a good match or not?" Justin Sullivan patted his shoulder. "I really have you to thank for this matter!"

He was part of the reason Georgia and Elliot had ended up in this situation.

Byron Shaw pressed his lips together. A massive headache was starting to bloom.

The car was silent. Sam Yates drove attentively, his eyes occasionally flicking to the rearview mirror.

Selena Sheridan also snuck glances at Georgia out of the corner of her eye.

Georgia’s reaction was too normal, and it was precisely because it was so normal that it felt strange.

’In this kind of situation, shouldn’t she be terrified and sobbing? But Georgia is acting as if nothing happened.’

She just sat quietly in the car, resting with her eyes closed.

Despite Elliot’s assurances, she hadn’t been able to sleep last night.

’I know I’m terrified. I just don’t dare let myself show it.’

By the time they arrived at the hospital, Sharon Ennis had already woken up.

Inside the hospital room, besides the Sheridan family, there were two outsiders.

One was Quentin Chase, and the other was her son.

Sharon Ennis was holding onto Miles, calling him by Elliot’s name and doting on him endlessly.

The doctor said the shock had been too much for Sharon Ennis, causing a mental breakdown.

Her memory had regressed, and she was mistaking the child before her for Elliot.

’This is for the best, in a way. At least for now, she isn’t so grief-stricken. Miles is a good source of comfort.’

James Sheridan, afraid that having Georgia in the same room with the two of them would be awkward, coughed repeatedly to get her attention and called her out of the room.

"Dad, I’m fine. You don’t have to comfort me," Georgia said, taking a seat on a chair and speaking first.

James Sheridan stood with his hands behind his back. He was never very good at comforting people. He studied Georgia carefully.

Other than her expression being a bit colder than usual, there was nothing else.

"This is unfair to you," James Sheridan said with a helpless sigh.

Sharon’s mental state was fragile. Perhaps due to some lingering trauma, she would become agitated whenever Miles left her sight.

And Miles couldn’t leave his mother, so the mother and son had no choice but to stay at the hospital.

"If this is too much, you should go home for now," Hillary said, unable to watch any longer.

’Being with my husband’s first love and her son... this really is an awful feeling.’

Georgia nodded. She was indeed exhausted.

"Okay, you and Selena should go home first."

"Aren’t you coming home?"

"I’m staying to be with Mom."

"...Okay," Georgia replied hesitantly.

After getting home, she still couldn’t fall asleep right away.

She lay awake all night. The next morning, she came downstairs as usual.

After breakfast, she left for her studio.

In the studio, Sylvie and Felix Sinclair were already busy with work.

"Morning!"

"Morning, Miss Thorne!" Sylvie and Felix Sinclair greeted her.

Georgia dropped her bag, opened her computer, and began sketching a new design.

Sylvie and Felix Sinclair were college classmates and generally got along well.

The two of them were sitting behind her. Felix Sinclair kicked Sylvie under the table. "You go talk to her!"

"Why do I have to go!" Sylvie squirmed, unwilling.

"You’re a girl. You two have more to talk about."

Sylvie was speechless.

They had both seen the news that morning.

All they could do for Georgia’s situation was offer their sympathy.

Sylvie slowly stood up and walked toward Georgia, shooting another glance at Felix Sinclair.

He waved at her, gesturing for her to hurry up.

Sylvie frowned and called out softly, "Miss Thorne!"

Georgia looked up from her work. "What is it?"

"It’s just... well, we saw the news. Miss Thorne, please don’t be too sad," Sylvie stammered, glancing back at Felix Sinclair as she spoke.

"...I’m fine. Really."

"As long as you’re okay! Well, I’ll get back to work then!" Sylvie said quickly and immediately scurried back to her seat.