Chapter 369: Book 5: Evangeline Laurier’s Last Threat

Deborah came into his room to summon him. “Officer Stewart is here to see you, Mr. Laurier.”

Maddox sighed and nodded at Deborah. After she left, he gave Declan a crestfallen look. “I had expected Iris. Please, can you tackle Officer Stewart? I’m not in a condition to face him.”

“Sure, bro.” Declan nodded and walked out of the room.

Maddox sat with his head in his hands. Nothing could calm his agitated heart and mind. Declan’s words lingered in his mind. Was Iris actually avoiding him? Did she believe in Lucille more?

Maddox felt a mad urge to punish Lucille for everything she had done. He had to get a grip on himself and punish the culprits. Voices echoed from downstairs, and he strode out to meet Officer Stewart for an update.

“Oh, there you are, Mr. Laurier. How are you now?” smiled Officer Stewart.

“I’m better now, Officer. Did you get any leads on Iris?” He couldn’t think of anything beyond Iris.

“No, Mr. Laurier. I came here to remind you about the trials starting tomorrow. As the victim, your presence is crucial to this case. Please be there at 11 o’clock sharp.”

Maddox sighed, coming out of his stupor. “Yes, Officer. I’ll be there.” He had to punish the culprits who had wronged him, his family, and his Iris. Only then could he go away in search of his lost love.

The next day, he arrived at the court just in time. Declan accompanied him, giving him the support he needed.

The proceedings were about to start, and the defense attorney, the renowned Victor Drupal, strode into the courtroom to introduce himself. With a proven track record, he looked overconfident in his win. Declan scoffed at the smug look on Gary Laurier’s face. Maddox knew the reason. Victor Drupal was his best friend and was here to rescue him.

The judge arrived, and the bailiff announced the beginning of the court session.

With the three accused already brought in for trial, the public prosecutor announced the charges framed against the trio. “Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury: the defendants have been charged with the crime of conspiracy against the Laurier family, taking innocent lives and executing felonies for a decade, almost. Therefore, as per California Penal Code Section 1098, I request that the court favor a joint trial to punish the defendants severely. The evidence presented will prove to you that the defendants are guilty as charged.”

The defense attorney jumped to the rescue. “Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury: under the law, my client, Gary Laurier, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. During this trial, you will come to know how he had been blackmailed to collaborate with Mrs. Laurier, the mastermind behind it all. Therefore, I would like to request the court for separate trials, considering the nature of the felony committed.” He further argued in support of separate trials until the judge obliged.

The dates for separate trials were scheduled for all three: Evangeline, Gary Laurier, and Lucille.

The court was adjourned until two days later, when Evangeline Laurier would face trial.

Maddox wasn’t happy with the deferment. It unnecessarily held him back from leaving LA and going to San Francisco in search of Iris. Time was running out and he couldn’t control the feeling of dread clutching at his heart all the time.

Two days later, the court again began its session. Instead of Victor Drupal, this time his mother arranged for the most renowned lawyer in the state, Sean Fletcher. Yet he couldn’t save her. The evidence submitted was strong enough to convict her of the crimes she had committed.

Gary Laurier’s statement went against her. The fake will also helped prove her conspiracy against her husband for the inheritance. Lennox’s murder, as well as the murders of the others associated with the case, proved her guilty.

The police produced ample proof to sentence her to death. In fact, Eric Laurier’s last note proved she had orchestrated his cardiac arrests too. Even Sean Fletcher couldn’t save her from death.

Maddox had no sympathy for her. Throughout the trial, he could feel her glaring at him. Maybe she had expected him to help her. But Maddox had no feelings for her anymore. She might have brought them up, but not with love. It was a compulsion to carry out her plans in the future. Maybe she had planned to remove him as well, as she did to Lennox.

Officer Stewart and the public prosecutor proved that Iris’s murder attempts were also orchestrated and executed by Evangeline Laurier alone.

Scott Bailey was also produced in court. His statements supported the case. There was no avenue to escape the death sentence.

Maddox glared back at her, feeling relieved at last. He had fulfilled his duties as an obedient son. Eric Laurier deserved justice for everything he had done for them. Maybe his biological mother, Teresa Laurier, would have been proud of him if she were alive.

He just hoped Iris was with him to witness this. She would have been so happy that he had punished the one who had tried to harm her.

Officer Stewart submitted the evidence found against Mrs. Laurier, the night they had drugged and filmed Maddox. She had drugged him to finish him. But Lucille had other plans, it seemed.

After a dramatic pause, the judge adjourned the court session for lunch.

The defendant was escorted out by the police under strict supervision. Yet Maddox could feel the anger emanating from his so-called mother. He realized the extent to which she hated him.

“I hope she receives the death penalty,” whispered Declan.

Maddox was silent. He stared at his adoptive mother walk away with a mocking smile on her face. It was a sinister smile, and a shudder went up his spine. He had no idea what was going on in her evil mind. Why did she hate them so much? Was it only for money? He doubted it.

Eric Laurier would have signed his assets to her anyway if she had been good to him. She didn’t need to conspire. Then what could be her motive?

After an hour, the court resumed the session.

The judge turned towards the defendant. “Mrs. Laurier, I have reviewed the pre-sentence report and heard arguments from both sides. Before I pass sentence, is there anything you wish to say?”

Evangeline Laurier stared at the judge, showing no remorse whatsoever. “I have to regret. They deserved to die. The Laurier inheritance rightfully belongs to my family. Yet Eric treated me like a nanny all his life. He didn’t want to have children with me. Nor did he love me. He deserved to die. And so did the others who supported him.”

Hushed whispers echoed around Maddox as he sat in a dazed state. He, too, wanted to know her motive.

The judge silenced everyone. “Mrs. Laurier, please elaborate. Why do you think your actions are justified?”

“I wouldn’t have conspired if George Laurier hadn’t snatched my grandfather’s business illegally. We went bankrupt overnight. My family committed suicide, Your Honor. I lost everything overnight while the Laurier family grew richer. That night, I knew I would do anything to get my lost business back. I wanted to destroy the Laurier family, wipe them out just like they had wiped ours out. I wouldn’t have killed Lennox, but he found out about my real motive. He started threatening to expose me to Eric. What could I do?”

Maddox’s mouth hung open in shock. George Laurier was his grandfather. Did he really confiscate their business?

“What about Gavin Ford? What about Ms. Hansley and Mr. Bailey? Why did you attempt to kill them?”

“Gavin had proof against my daughter, Lucille. She’s the only one I love, Your Honor. I can’t see her behind bars. Scott knew everything about me. He’s our oldest employee. I couldn’t trust him.”

“And Ms. Hansley?”

Her face scrunched up in disgust. “I hate her for being Lydia Hansley’s daughter. Gary was crazy about the woman. I love Gary, but he wouldn’t sleep with me as long as Lydia was around. I had to throw her out.” A smile lit up her features. “I was so glad she died. I would have been happier if Iris, too, had met with the same fate.”

There was a pin-drop silence in the courtroom.

The judge looked at her. “You have been found guilty by a jury of your peers of the charges of first-degree premeditated murder, not once but repeatedly, with special circumstances. The jury has returned a recommendation of the death penalty.”

The judge paused for a second.

“You have displayed no remorse for taking human lives. Therefore, it is the judgment and sentence of this court that you be remanded to the custody of the State Department of Corrections and that you be executed in accordance with the law of this jurisdiction, by lethal injection, at a date and time to be determined later by the court.”

The judge banged the gavel once.

“May God have mercy on your soul.”

The session ended while Maddox stood in a state of shock. The police escorted Evangeline Laurier away, but she stopped before him with the same crooked smile on her face.

“This isn’t the end, Laurier. Wait for the last part of my revenge.” She laughed as they shoved her out forcefully.

Her evil laughter echoed inside his head. What did she mean?