When They Beg I Rise (Lemira) novel Chapter 1100

Did that mean she wasn't going to get the needle after all?

Garrett Moore formally submitted Evelina's death certificate along with the contested paternity test.

Sebastian immediately stood up. "Objection. The defense's claims regarding the paternity test are false. The child did not belong to the Langston family. The prosecution has already verified the authenticity of our records."

The core issue was whether the child was a Langston heir, not Evelina's tragic fate.

The circumstances surrounding Evelina's death were grounds for a completely separate civil suit; they had no bearing on the criminal charges of bribery and attempted murder currently before the court.

The judge agreed, sustaining Sebastian's objection.

When the final verdict was delivered, the entire courtroom stood.

Lemira kept her eyes locked on Amelia. When the judge handed down a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, Lemira felt a profound sense of peace.

Amelia's face lit up with a brief, dizzying surge of relief, only to instantly crumble into a hollow, suffocating despair.

Watching the emotional whiplash, Lemira couldn't help but scoff.

Amelia had been so terrified of execution that mere survival felt like a victory.

But a lifetime locked away in a concrete box was a fate infinitely worse than a quick death.

As the session adjourned, Lemira walked over to the defendant's table. "You have the rest of your natural life to sit in a cell and think about what you did," she said smoothly. "You will never step foot in the outside world again. The luxury, the high society, the privilege—it's all gone forever."

The absolute finality of Lemira's words shattered Amelia, who frantically looked toward the gallery.

Amanda's expression was carved from ice. "Your family is bankrupt. Your eldest daughter turned herself into a national scandal just to afford your legal fees, and your husband abandoned you. Did you honestly think your youngest daughter could save you? You schemed and manipulated your entire life, and in the end, you lost everything."

"And earned yourself a life sentence," Lemira added. "Karma rarely misses."

Lemira was increasingly convinced Margot was involved in her parents' fatal crash.

Orchestrating a hit like that paid well—enough to fund a comfortable life in hiding.

Garrett adjusted his glasses. "I simply raised a legal inquiry regarding the paternity test. My client is well within her rights to demand verification."

"She is also a co-conspirator if she actively concealed evidence of past crimes," Lemira countered sharply.

"Ms. Langston, those are very serious allegations. You'll need evidence for that."

"Oh, I have it. The blackmail video Hale sent us. It was clearly filmed inside a home. There were baby supplies, the place was spotless, and there was a fresh bouquet of flowers on the table. It practically screamed that a woman was living there full-time."

Lemira had suspected something was off the moment she first saw the footage.

Now that she knew Margot Sterling was alive and pulling strings from the shadows, every piece of the puzzle finally clicked into place.