FLASH MARRIAGE; CHARMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE CEO - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: The Sentencing
“Amelia, I beg you in the name of God or whatever you hold sacred,” Gwen said, clasping her two cuffed hands, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. “Forgive me. Forgive us. Let go of your hatred for us. You have punished us enough. We have all learned our lesson. Have a heart.”

Amelia chuckled bitterly. ‘Did Gwen really say that? How ironic for someone who wanted her own sister dead to steal her man and her fortune.’

“I admit we all made a mistake.” Gwen continued, staring at her father. “But we can change our ways. All we ask is for a second chance to do what is right. Don’t let the innocent child suffer for the sins of their parents. Please drop this case and let us settle out of court. We are still your family for goodness sake.”

“Family indeed.” Amelia scoffed looking away. She remained indifferent even when her father tried talking to her. Her mind was already made up and there was no going back no matter how much any one of them cried.

Finally, Regina and Gwen both took turns apologizing and pleading for Amelia and the senator to show mercy.

After listening to all five accused statements which confirmed their guilt, the judge asked the prosecuting counsel if his client had anything to say before the sentence was read out.

The attorney turned backwards to look at Amelia and her husband.

“Amelia, please, you have heard them plead, especially Desmond and your sister.” The senator pleaded on Amelia’s right-hand side. “We can decide to end the case right now.”

“Sweetheart, the lawyer is waiting for your response,” Blaze said calmly but firmly, pulling Amelia’s gaze away from her father’s sentimental ones. “Let’s finish what we started and go home.”

“Amelia, please, have…” Harriet’s voice caught in her throat when Blaze flashed her a dangerous look.

“Hmm…” Amelia let out a sigh.

“Whatever you decide honey, you have my support,” Blaze said, seeing she was battling with her conscience.

Amelia nodded her head, sparing him a thin smile.

“Counselor, does your client have anything to say?” Judge Addams asked impatient voice breaking through the prevailing tension.

“No, Your Honour,” Amelia responded standing up. “I have nothing to say except to wish all of them exactly what they wish me.”

“Amelia!” Senator Gregory was stunned by her frigid response.

A muffled gasp escaped Harriet’s mouth, but she immediately covered her mouth afraid that the judge might send her out.

“Very well, Mrs Anderson, you may sit down.” Judge Addams said, glaring at Harriet and the senator briefly before moving on to the accused.

“After listening to the defending and prosecuting counsel statement and going through this case thoroughly, here is my judgment as agreed by both parties.”

“For the premeditated act of abduction, attempted assassination, forgery, sabotage, illegal operations, misuse of office and breaking of trust, breaking of the oath of confidentiality and finally theft, here are my sentences according to your level of involvement.”

“Miss Lin Fox, as the executor of the crime and for gang-related attempted murder amongst other alarming charges, you are hereby sentenced to twenty- five years imprisonment without parole and with hard labour.”

“What! But this is not right. I did…”

The judge struck his gavel repeatedly, silencing Lin’s outburst.

“One more word Miss Lin and I will be forced to increase your sentence.”

“Twenty, five years!” Gwen gasped, looking at her mother, suddenly feeling lightheaded and nauseous.

“In addition to your sentence, Miss Lin,” the Judge continued. “You will be made to forfeit your house, and your cars, and all the money in your account will be frozen until your debt owed Mrs Anderson is completely paid.”

“What! You can’t do that.” Lin shrieked. Those were her hard-earned money and had nothing to do with Amelia. “No one will take what is mine, you hear me, you f*king pussy. No one will take what is mine.”

“That is it, five more years have been added to your sentence. Take her out of my courtroom.” The judge barked and Miss Lin was dragged out of the courtroom screaming and hurling curses at Amelia, the senator and the entire Shawl family.

When order was restored, the judge continued reading the sentences.

“Mr Desmond Shawl, Regina Shawls and Pearl Lumbar…” The judge called out their name before looking up from the reading glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose. He observed the way all three were panicking. “All three of you have been sentenced to three years imprisonment each without parole.”

Muffled gasps escaped their mouth but none of them were bold enough to interrupt the judge for fear of increasing their sentences.

Even Harriet, who almost collapsed after hearing her husband’s sentence, remained still, shaking her head and crying silently. Compared to Lin thirty years imprisonment, three years was a gift.

“Also you all will be made to pay a fine of one hundred million dollars each to Miss Amelia Shawls Anderson as composition of money stolen from her.”

“As for you, Miss Gwen Shawls, you will remain incarcerated at the city correctional facility for six months. Afterwards, you’ll be allowed to apply for parole with restrictions and community service. You are also to pay the sum of two hundred million dollars to Mrs Amelia Shawls Anderson. Please take note failure to pay up the compensation fee will attract stringent jail sentencing.”

Gwen broke down in tears as she recalled that she had no more money in her account to pay up her debt.

“Finally, Mr Matt Shawl, you are hereby sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment with hard labour for ten years.”

“Ah!” The senator felt his chest tighten. He thought Matt would get the same sentencing as the others even though he considered three years unimaginable for them.

“Fifteen years! Amy, that is too much. He will not survive it.” The senator whispered, looking at his daughter, pleadingly. “Let him do three years like the others, please.”

“No, Dad. He deserves more than that.” Amelia said in a hushed voice without batting her lashes. “You should be thanking me for convincing my husband to reduce the initial sentence from thirty to fifteen.”

“Seriously!” The Senator was flustered with rage. “Thirty years?”

“Dad, please. It’s already decided. Moreover, you heard what he said to you. He’s not sorry for anything he did.” Amelia felt her father’s hand slip away from hers. She observed his mood gradually turn from sour to furious.

Thankfully, her husband didn’t interrupt their discussion, he seemed more focused on the judge who was still reading out the sentences.

In addition, to Matt’s prison jail term, he was required to pay Amelia the sum of five hundred million dollars to Amelia or lose his ownership of TKL oil and gas company.

At the end of the sentencing, the court was adjourned and the prisoners were escorted out of the courtroom amid wailing and cursing.

Amelia said her goodbye briskly to her dad and quickly followed her husband before Harriet or anyone could drown her ears in their pitiful cries.