Chapter 10 - The Arraignment on the Parquet Floor
Brianna was hyperventilating, clutching her designer blazer.
Her social empire had dissolved in less than twenty minutes.
The football players who had cheered for her were now standing ten feet away, pretending they didn't know her.
Her closest friend, Chloe, had already walked to the other side of the room.
“Please, Governor Carter,” Brianna sobbed, sinking to her knees in front of Eleanor.
“I didn’t know! My dad told me Emily was trying to destroy our family!”
“I’m only seventeen! Please don't ruin my life!”
Eleanor looked down at Brianna.
There was no anger in Eleanor’s eyes—only a profound, pitying disgust.
“You didn't care about ruining Emily’s life five minutes ago, Brianna.”
“You laughed while her face was in the dirt.”
“You thought your father’s bank account was a license to strip another human being of her dignity.”
Emily stepped forward then, standing beside her mother.
She was still covered in stains, but her spine was straight, and her chin was high.
Brianna looked up at Emily with wild, pleading eyes.
“Emily, tell her! We were classmates! Please don't let them arrest me!”
Emily looked down at her tormentor.
She remembered the months of cruel text messages, the books kicked into toilet bowls, the cruel rumors spread across social media.
“Actions have consequences, Brianna,” Emily said softly.
“You told me this morning that trash belongs in the landfill.”
“The law isn't trash. And neither am I.”
Governor Carter turned to the Crestview Police Chief, who had just entered through the double doors.
“Chief Miller, take Miss Vance into juvenile custody.”
“Process her for assault and battery. No preferential treatment. No bail until tomorrow’s magistrate hearing.”
Chief Miller nodded respectfully.
May you like
“Yes, Governor.”
When the female officer placed the cold steel cuffs on Brianna’s wrists, Brianna screamed—a raw, terrifying sound of absolute defeat.
