For the first time in weeks, the atmosphere inside the mansion felt lighter.
Not peaceful.
Not yet.
But lighter.
Like everyone was holding their breath a little less.
The trial had consumed everything.
Every conversation.
Every headline.
Every day brought another article.
Another report.
Another piece of evidence.
Another disaster for the Ashford family.
By the time the final hearing arrived, almost nobody believed Richard Ashford would walk away untouched.
Not even Richard himself.
The courthouse was surrounded by reporters.
News vans.
Cameras.
Journalists.
People crowded behind barricades.
Everyone wanted to witness the fall of a man who had spent decades building a perfect image.
I stood beside Hayes as we walked inside.
Ford was ahead of us.
Pierce beside Camille.
