Chapter 381

“The death penalty.” The words hit like a bomb in the formal courtroom, sending a jolt down everyone’s spines. Jonathan Godfrey flinched hard, like all the strength drained from his body. Then out of nowhere, he exploded into a fit of rage. “No! That’s not true!” “I’m innocent! You can’t just do this to me!” His shout was raw, veins bulging on his neck, face twisted in disbelief. His attorney looked like he’d just seen a ghost—face green, like he’d pulled a cucumber straight out the ground. Voice low and shaking with panic, he hissed, “Mr. Godfrey, you didn’t tell me you had more skeletons in the closet!” Jonathan wasn’t listening. His eyes locked onto the plaintiff’s side, saliva flying as he yelled, “It was them! That woman and her daughter! They’re the problem! Why the hell do I get the death penalty?!” “Order!” The judge brought down the gavel with a heavy thud, voice cutting through the chaos. “Plaintiff, present your evidence.” This was the moment that really mattered. Bradley Wi