Emmerdale fans are in for a shocking twist as Tom King’s manipulative plans take an even darker turn. The scheming villain is now desperately trying to escape the justice

he so richly deserves, and his next move involves his young cousin, Angelica. Despite the serious charges he’s facing for the abusive behavior he inflicted on his wife, Belle

, Tom is plotting a way to sway the course of his upcoming trial.

Last week, Tom was hit with charges of coercive controlling behavior and assault after new evidence surfaced, confirming Belle’s painful allegations. In a desperate bid to avoid facing the consequences, Tom tried to flee the country, but his attempt was thwarted, and he was arrested for breaching his bail conditions. Now behind bars, Tom is awaiting trial, and the tension is building for his family, including Belle, Jimmy, and the rest of the Kings, who will all have to endure the stress of the courtroom drama.

In a chilling new development, Tom continues to manipulate those around him, and his latest target is Angelica. In Wednesday’s episode, Tom engages in a calculated phone conversation with the vulnerable teenager, hoping to use her to sway her father Jimmy to testify on his behalf. Tom tries to convince Angelica that Jimmy is the key to proving his innocence, saying, “If there’s one person who can make the jury see that I’m incapable of all these things Belle is accusing me of, it’s him.” He plays on Angelica’s emotions, exploiting her desire to help her family, and asks her to speak to Jimmy about the possibility of him supporting Tom in court.

Angelica, who has already been struggling with her own vulnerabilities, promises to bring up the topic with Jimmy, but assures Tom she won’t reveal that they’ve secretly been in contact. Tom, grateful for her loyalty, responds, “Thank you, Angelica. I don’t know how I’d get through this without you.”

Earlier this week, viewers saw Angelica secretly add Tom’s phone number to her contact list, signaling her commitment to helping him despite everyone else turning their backs on him. While she clearly wants to support her cousin, it’s obvious that she’s stepping into a dangerous game. As the teenager continues to back Tom’s devious plans, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this is a decision she will come to deeply regret.

Fans are devastated by this latest betrayal, as they watch Angelica, already a vulnerable figure, get pulled deeper into Tom’s web of manipulation. The emotional toll of supporting her cousin, who has caused so much pain to the people she loves, could have serious consequences for Angelica’s future. The question remains: how much damage could Tom’s influence do before the truth finally catches up with him? And will Angelica be able to extricate herself from his grip before it’s too late?

As Emmerdale heads toward a gripping courtroom showdown, the stakes have never been higher for Tom, Angelica, and the entire King family. Fans are left wondering whether Tom’s latest plan will succeed or if it will be his undoing—and whether Angelica can escape the devastating consequences of helping him. One thing is for sure: the emotional fallout will be impossible to ignore.