Emily’s POV

The four black armored Suburbans ground to a halt right in front of the grand marble steps of the Uptown Charlotte Supreme Courthouse.

Outside the tinted bulletproof windows, the scene was absolute bedlam. Hundreds of news cameras, flashing bulbs, and shouting journalists packed the plaza. Paparazzi were climbing on concrete barriers, and police officers in heavy tactical gear were struggling to keep the crowd back.

And right at the top of the courthouse steps, posing side-by-side like twisted royalty, stood my mother, Victoria, and Lady Charlotte Montgomery.

They had brought a joint team of fifteen defense attorneys in custom suits, holding a live press conference right on the...