Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 120

A Hefty Price

Chapter 120

Ana’s POV

It brought me no joy to hear what Sasha just said. I had let the Cook family walk all over me. I allowed it, and for that, I have some blame in this, as well. I should have shut them down when they first started up, but I wanted Roger to like me. So, I humbled myself. That’s something that won’t be happening again. Just because I did it before doesn’t mean that I’m willing to do it again.

Sasha’s just angry that it’s come down to this, but I did ask them to stop, repeatedly. No matter how much they try to blame this on me, it’s not my fault. The judge gave the jury instructions and reminded them to follow the law. I hope there’s not another person planted on the jury. But even if there were, I think they would think twice after what just happened to Joshua Greggs. Sasha stepped down and headed to the table.

I could hear them arguing quietly back and forth. I knew Joyce started this, but Sasha had willingly jumped into the fray. I’m hopeful that they will both get what they deserve. It’s just after four. Realistically, this might drag on for a while. According to Rodney, you can never predict when a jury will reach a consensus. It might be decided this afternoon, or in the morning, but this trial had been exhausting, even though we were prepared. It’s the equivalent of being in a hospital, absolutely draining.

The Bailiff allowed Charlie to come sit next to me, as Rodney and Will spoke near the stand. I’m sure Rodney is telling William what he needs to do moving forward. I’m glad that he is going to help him. William is younger, about twenty–eight years old. He is idealistic and thought he was helping them. He believed that due to my family name, I was the bully in this situation. He believed they were just trying to get their designs back and needed his help. Why else would they have caused so much drama and disruption?

Charlie was rubbing the small circles on my hand, as he told me, “My grandparents and Mom wanted us to come to dinner at the restaurant tonight. Your parents are welcome to come, as are Gwen and Emily. I texted Mark at lunch, and he was happy to come with us. That way, we can celebrate at least one trial being over. We can also discuss the shooting order for tomorrow’s ad. I was thinking that we go last anyway, just in case we have to come to court in the morning. Is that good for you? My grandmother is always up for any excuse to celebrate.”

“It’s my favorite restaurant, so that’s always a great idea. This trial, although easier than the one against Tiffany, has been draining. I really didn’t want to go home and cook tonight,” I replied.

1/5

<A Hefty Price

125 Points

I knew that Charlie had reached out and suggested this to his grandmother. He was right about her loving to celebrate anything, but he always does little thoughtful gestures like this for me. If I thought he was protective of me before, he has now doubled down on it. He makes sure that I don’t get jostled when the number of people around me increases. His love and care are making me want to cry. It’s the hormones. I can’t believe that they’re so strong,

so soon.

This gave me something to look forward to. My mother and his family have been thrilled since they found out we were pregnant. They are all making plans for how they want the baby’s room to be in their homes. I don’t know why they seem to think we will need a break so much, but apparently, they know something I don’t. I’m blissfully happy about the baby. I’ve had a hard time not rubbing my stomach, as doing so always makes me happy. The only thing that had kept me from doing just that was the fact that I had pulled up to the table just to keep that from happening. I wouldn’t put anything past Sasha or Joyce. Plus, Holden is here again today. I don’t want anyone from the Vaughn family finding out about the baby, not until after Tiffany’s trial.

She’s already tried to attack me once. If she knew I were pregnant, she wouldn’t hesitate to attack me again. She knows that she has no defense. She wasn’t aware I had so much evidence before. She still hasn’t seen what Rodney’s going to spring on her. We hadn’t got that far in the trial yet. She seems to think that she’s untouchable. She’s going to learn a hard lesson. Tiffany is still a threat. But she’s in jail and can’t get to me.

Her parents have tried to contact me several times, using various numbers. As soon as I recognize their voice, I hang up. I’m not letting her off the hook. I had blocked their numbers and Holden’s. He might not be the bad guy in this, but knowing he stood there and watched us together has creeped me out. I knew that Charlie had spent a great deal of time increasing security in and around our home as a result. Cameras in the main areas of our home, and a new security system.

He even added cameras on the outside of our home. We can now see all the areas surrounding our home. I thought he was going a little overboard. But when he said it was for the baby’s protection too, I caved. He’s right. We can’t be too lax in this. I now feel safer in my home. He also made upgrades in our parents‘ homes, since the baby would occasionally be with them.

The bailiff approached the judge, who seemed surprised by what he said. Apparently, the jury has already come to a verdict. A few minutes later, they were led back into the room. Charlie had slipped back to his seat before they returned. I already missed having him by my side. I was worried that Joyce or Sasha would get violent after hearing the verdict, but I knew that Charlie wouldn’t let them get to me.

“Have you come to a decision?” the judge asked.

2/5

<A Hefty Price

$25 Points

“We have, your honor,” the foreman of the jury answered. It was the middle–aged woman who spoke.

“And you are all in agreement?” the judge questioned.

“We are, your honor,” she replied.

“Go ahead with your verdict,” the judge replied.

“For the count of slander, we find the defendants guilty as charged,” the foreman started.

“This is a load of bullshit. You were barely back there. How could you decide so quickly? You already decided against us from the start. Don’t fall for her innocent victim act. She brought us to trial for a little bullying. We were just trying to get the designs back; if she hadn’t fought us for them, none of this would have happened. It’s all Ana’s fault,” Sasha loudly wailed.

“Mrs. Cook, I’ll remind you again not to interrupt. The trial is over now; there is nothing left to discuss. Do not stop the foreman again. I haven’t sentenced you yet. You need to be prepared to receive an additional contempt charge for stopping the verdict as it was being read. You clearly don’t understand the concept of respect for the court,” the judge reprimanded.

The judge then looked back at the foreman and said, “Please continue.”

“For the count of slander, we find both defendants guilty. For criminal contempt, we find both defendants guilty. For the charges of filing a false police report, false arrest, and having a legal document forged, we find Joyce Cook guilty. For the count of collusion and jury tampering, we find Sasha Cook guilty. On the count of perjury, we find Sasha Cook guilty on multiple counts. On the count of attempted theft of a copyrighted work, we find Sasha Cook guilty. We find Sasha Cook guilty of attempting to evade sentencing and arrest by fleeing,” the foreman read out.

“Is the jury in agreement on the verdict as they have been read?” the judge asked.

“We are, your honor,” they replied.

“Can you bring me the list for contempt and perjury charges?” the judge requested, waiting for the aide to bring it to her.

“Alright, I had already notated what the sentence for the other charges would be, while they deliberated. I didn’t want to waste any additional court time. This trial should have been a one–day event. If not for your intentional delaying tactics, Sasha Cook, it would have been complete. Now we all know that the delay was intended to allow you to try to flee. I just need to tally up the contempt and perjury charges to hand out. In the end, you didn’t avoid anything,” the judge announced.

3/5

< A Hefty Price

+79 brointe

She was jotting down notes on a notepad. I guess she wanted to make very sure she had everything clearly documented and not miss anything. We all knew that Sasha was going to appeal, regardless of the sentence she received.

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