Julian Thorne stood up, buttoning his velvet tuxedo jacket with an air of absolute triumph. He offered his hand to Serena, who rose gracefully, her crimson gown pooling around her feet. Together, they walked up the steps to the stage, bathing in the spotlight and the polite applause of the auditoriu

The silence in the auditorium was absolute, a heavy, suffocating blanket that had settled over the crowd the moment Victor Sterling’s voice echoed through the room.

Julian Thorne remained frozen at the podium, his knuckles white as he gripped the polished wood. Beside him, Serena Blake looked like

The silence that followed Judge Harrison’s demand was not peaceful. It was the taut, vibrating silence of a guillotine blade suspended at the top of its track, waiting only for the lever to be pulled.

Julian Thorne gripped the edge of the stage, his knuckles turning translucent. Sweat beaded on hi