The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
Chapter 144

Flair POV

Grayson and I stare at the prosecutor, James Dwight, in shock as he leans forward and studies us both intently. "She's accepted a plea" he explained tersely "On grounds of insanity she'll be locked up in a psychiatric institution with maximum security for the rest of I'm in disbelief. I stare at James as though he's mad. His expression is grim and there's a look of anger in his eyes although he's trying to hide it. I don't understand. How could Charlotte have been given such a light sentence?

her life or until she's deemed to no longer be a danger to herself or others."

"I don't understand," I say as Grayson squeezes my hand, my eyes rising to meet James's as he looks at me sympathetically "I thought that you had more than enough evidence to prosecute her to the full extent of the law?" My tone is questioning and also slightly angry. The prosecutor lets out a long sigh.

"There are complications in regards to the evidence," he says carefully.

"What kind of complications" Grayson cuts in.

"Chain of custody for starters. We can't prove it wasn't tampered with before it was taken into evidence and signed in. Then there's the legality of how some of it was acquired" he said carefully.

"You mean the evidence that Knox turned over," Grayson said calmly.

"Yes, I have no objections and I'm certain that it was all legally accomplished," he said hastily, although we all knew that was a lie "but it could bring up a lot of questions and that would only result in helping to create a stronger defense for her." "She killed Sam," I said between tears "his children lost a father and his wife lost a husband because of her" I'm almost yelling in frustration.

"I understand your anger Mrs Oakes, believe me, I'm just as unhappy about the situation as you are. But Mrs Deluca has several expert specialists willing to testify that she was of unsound mind when she committed the murder and tried to kill Johnathon Deluca. Her defense for insanity is strong. If it had just been the word of one specialist we might have stood a chance, but she has three willing to speak on her behalf."

"Because she paid them," Grayson said furiously "Surely you can prove that?"

"You know how this goes, Mr Oakes. You're a lawyer yourself. As much as we wish the perpetrator got their just desserts, you know it's not always the case. Sometimes you have to take what you can get. If we didn't offer the plea, she might have got away scot-free which would be disastrous."

"Does Johnathon know? Has anyone told him?" I ask, my voice soft and shaking now.

Johnathon would be just as devastated as we were, perhaps more so. He's the one who has suffered the most and still doing physical therapy to ensure he can walk properly again. The prosecutor avoids our gaze.

"I have not informed Mr Rourke as of yet. He's requested we use his previous name instead of Deluca" he said quietly. "Are you planning on telling him?" Grayson's tone is cutting.

"Certainly. I will be visiting him personally to tell him the news. I have a suspicion that he might already be aware of the possibility of the plea" he said although I wasn't sure how that could be the case.

I look at Grayson feeling broken. It felt like Charlotte had won again. She was going to be comfortable in the psychiatric hospital. It would be one that catered to wealthy socialites such as herself. I wasn't fooled by the words maximum security. She had managed to fool everyone into thinking she was insane and feeling sorry for her. I wanted so badly to scream with how angry I was feeling but instead, I forced myself to take deep breaths, placing a hand on my stomach, my belly slightly swollen with a baby bump as I reminded myself there were many more important things to consider as well.

"Is it guaranteed that she'll be there the rest of her life? Didn't I just hear you say the words 'until she's deemed not to be a danger to herself or others" Grayson said, sounding annoyed "which would indicate there is a possibility that she would be released in time?" That had not occurred to me. I looked at the prosecutor, the blood draining from my face. The prosecutor clenched his jaw. "For all intents and purposes it might sound that way," he said agreeably "but in reality, there is no possibility that Charlotte Deluca will ever, be granted early release. She's too dangerous to ever allow back into the community ever again and she has nowhere to go. I'm taken to understand that your Grandfather has now disowned her and while she does possess funds at her disposal, they are no longer unlimited" he finished.

Grayson nodded moodily "Yes my Grandfather has sold off her little companies and shares. The main company has been handed off to myself and Flair in order to keep it running and the employees to retain their positions."

"The fact she's been disowned will go a long way to convincing a judge that she's a threat. If her own family is afraid to house her then..." he trailed off but the implication was clear.

Grayson was not vindicated. "I want a guarantee" he bit out "My wife is in danger if she ever gets free of that place."

The prosecutor looked nervous now. "With all due respect sir, I cannot do much more than assure you that it won't happen."

"Which means you can't guarantee it won't," Grayson said challengingly "If she gets out, I'm going to blame you," he said, leaning forward so that his face was inches from the prosecutors as James's blanched from the scrutiny Grayson was giving him "and if anything happens to my wife as a result of that, I'll be coming after you personally" he sneered.

He meant every word. His voice was dripping with malice. James looked apprehensive now. He licked his lips "There's no need to make such threats" he began.

"It's not a threat" Grayson interrupted with narrowed eyes "It's a promise."

The prosecutor gulped. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. But I was angry as well. I had wanted Charlotte to pay for what she did and this did not feel like justice being served. It felt like she had cheated the system. It felt like the system was there to protect the wealthy and it stung. I could feel tears threatening to fall. I was becoming distressed the more that Grayson glared at the prosecutor who was beginning to sweat profusely under his gaze.

"Once again Mr Oakes" he began, loosening his tie as though he was struggling to draw breath "I do apologize for what has obviously been a difficult time for you and your wife but think about the positives" he tried to encourage us as I listened numbly "now there is no need for a long drawn out court battle that could take months before a verdict is handed down. Given your wife's condition" he coughs and glances at me meaningfully "does that not seem like a good thing to you? It also means you don't have to testify" he continued with his eyes beginning to brighten "and you won't have to be in the same room as Charlotte Deluca. I'm sure that will ease some of your anxiety."

Silence. "Grayson, he's right," I say in a quivering voice "You know I wasn't looking forward to having to testify against Charlotte while she stood there listening. Maybe this is for the best."

My tone is unconvincing. I can see Grayson eyeing me, his gaze lingering on the soft swell of my belly. He exhales. "When is this all going to be final?"

"In two weeks the plea will be officially accepted in front of the judge and the verdict handed down. You are welcome to attend but it's not required" the prosecutor said, his face looking hopeful.

No doubt he wanted us to stay away. Grayson glared at him. "I expect to be informed immediately as to when she's been transported to the hospital and that everything has gone according to plan. I won't rest until I know she's locked up, even if it's in a damn psychiatric hospital" he muttered.

"Of course" the prosecutor agreed readily, as I slowly stood up.

He just about knocked the chair over, standing up, he was so eager to finish the conversation with the both of us. He reached over and shook Grayson's hand. As I saw him wince, I realized Grayson was deliberately squeezing his hand as hard as he could. Grayson dropped his hand and the prosecutor politely shook mine.

"I wish you both the best of luck and hope that you'll be able to finally put this behind you, Mr and Mrs Oakes. You have my utmost sympathy for what you have endured."

"Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I made for the doorway.

Grayson assisted me towards the parking lot, his arm wrapped carefully around me.

"Damn lawyer" he muttered.

"Aren't you one as well?" I teased as his mouth turned up into an unwilling smile "We knew this was a possibility" I sighed as the driver opened the door.

He tenderly helped me inside the limo. "Doesn't mean I have to like it" he sulked.

I laughed. "Well, we can let Grandfather know when we get back to the house. No doubt Roscoe is already driving him crazy" I added with a grin.

We had moved into the Deluca mansion now that Karen was gone and Charlotte's things had been taken away. Although Grandfather denied it, we knew he appreciated having us around and I knew he was looking forward to the birth of his great grandchild. I rubbed my stomach as Grayson leaned over and kissed me on the lips.

"He already knows," Grayson said softly "I will bet you anything by the time we get to the house, he'll have already been informed as to the outcome of the discussion. He has ears everywhere."

I thought he had to be joking but by some miracle he was right. Grandfather knew already.