Chapter 19
The bees hdn’t bermunland to Enrica. Though love had let her down, the heavens had gifted her the best guy friend she could ask for
Soon, they arived at the cit count.
It was already seam, and the staff gradually took their places. There weren’t many spectators. Enrica and Zayne sat in the defendant’s sear
The Zuckers entered as well. Miguel’s nose had been treated and was bandaged, making him look somewhat comical. He and Jilliana took their seats on the plainter’s side. Patrick and his assistant sat beside them
Merchile. Rohana and Sheila took seats in the galler
There were six minutes until the trial began, and Lawrence was still nowhere to be seen. Enrica asked Zayne, “Did you call Mr. White? Is he almost here?”
Zane nodded, calm and compound. Erica, on the other hand, was visibly nerve and flustered. It was her first time sitting on the defendant’s side.
His voice was Timm ““Don’t wony. Lawrence will be firme untime”
She had no choice but to nod and stop pressing further.
th disdain. They knew she could be foolish, but this was beyond expectation. She
The Zuckers, however, seeing that Enrica’s lawyer was absent, fooled at her with dis hadn’t even bothered to find a lawyer to represent her
Did she really think she stood a chance? ¿clueless woman like her against their elite lawyer? Or had she given up the fight, knowing the Zuckers were not to be
titled with?
in hour
Patrickleaned in close to Miguel and whispered, “Their lawyer isn’t here. This will be over in less than half an
Miguel nodded and asked, “How much compensation did we demand before?”
Patrick replied respectfully, “Seven hundred thousand dollars.”
“Double it,” Miguel said coldly, glaring at the two across the room. “I want 1.4 million dollars in damages. I swear, if I don’t ruin them, I’ll give up my own name.”
hint of concem flashed in Patrick’s eyes. The amount was too high, but it wasn’t entirely impossible.
With that in mind, he nodded and said, “No problem.”
At 6:59 am, the judge, Bemard Lowe, took his seat Lawrence still hadn’t arrived
Enrica’s heart sank
11 Lawrence failed to show up for the trial today, herdefeat would be inevitable. Even if he did come, it probably wouldn’t change much, but at least there would be aster of hope. Now, even that glimmer of hope was gone.
Bohana, sitting in the gallery, sneered, “No matter how arrogant Enrica is, without ber lawyer, this case is a foregone conclusion. I can’t wait to see her on her lees, crying and begging me to go easy on her!”
Sheila stood beside her, her arms linked with hers like a close trend. Hearing this, the hesitated before gently advising her, saying, “Maybe we should just let it
Enrica’s been through enough. No need to make it harder on her.”
Rohana sat with her legs crossed and let out a disdainful snort. “What’s so hard about her life? She had everything when she latched onto Miggy! it she hadn’t sedured him, he would we never married her. Sheila, don’t forget, you’re his first love that bitch stole your mun
A flicker of something unreadable flashed through Sheila’s eyes. She sighed softly, appearing troubled.
I was 9:00 am, and Bemand was about to call the court to order
Lawrence was still nowhere to be seen. At this point, there was no tuming things around.
Though Erica had never dared to hold out much hope for this case, she never imagined she would lose like this. With her lawyer absent, the other side would gain the upper hand without any effort. She stole a glance at Zayne. He sat there, unruffled as ever, exuding an air of complete rase
Did he not care that losing this case could cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars?
Bernard, with a solenin expression, spoke. “Order in the court. We will now proceed…”
Before he could finish speaking, the front door of the courtroom suddenly swung open. Lawrence walked in, efad in a leather jacket. His hair was still styled in those oddly inappropriate braids. He walked in with an easy, carefree gait, showing no sign of concem for the legal proceedings.
As he reached the center of the room, he whistled at bemand. “Sony I’m late__“}
“Defense counsel, please maintain decorum in the courtroom
Lawrence pursed his lips, shrugged, and strode toward the defendant’s seat. Enrica heard him motter under his breath, “What’s with the act? He’s the least serious
Surprised by these words, the asked, “Mr White, you know the judge?”
Lawrence cleared his throat and half–jokingly explained, “We were classmates.”
Tarica quiddy caught on. Lawernor and Beard were in the same field of study, so it wasn’t far–fetched to say they were classmates.
Lawrence’s arrival caused a brief commotion in the courtroom. Bemand picked up his gavel and struck the table. “Now that the defense attomey has amved, let’s proceed. The plaimüit’s counsel may proceed with their statement.”
ly villa. He exaggerated how Zayne and Enrica had allegedly assaulted
Patrick stood by and began dramatically recounting the incident outside i
side the Zucker family
Hemand gestured for Patrick to sit and then tumed to the defendant’s side. “Does the defense have anything to say regarding the plant’s claims?”
Charter
dner Lawrence had arrived so late, Enrica hadn’t had a chance to briet lilin. She was wortled he might for Ind astray when suddenly, Lowtrore chuckled. “You Honor, we despectfully object to the admission of this evidence. There are serious conceins that it was obtained through mulawful i
“Your Honor, I have a video!” Patrick immediately stood up “Your Honor, I request to play this video in count. It’ll reveal the true nature of the man on the defendant’s side. He’s a cruel and cadistic abuser”
The video was quickly played, showing the footage of Zayne attacking Miguel
The brutality and bloodiness of the scene were evident. Enrica could hear the murmurs from the gallery growing louder.
