"Before the start of that evening's banquet, my colleague drugged me. The effects of the drug impaired my judgment," she explained. The judge listened attentively and then asked sternly, "Do you have any witnesses to support this claim?"
Tom gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "No."
The judge paused before continuing to ask, "Do you have any physical evidence?"
"No," Tom replied, his gaze unconsciously turning towards Rose in the audience.
He knew that the trial had been suddenly brought forward and there must be something fishy going on. He had only met with his sister yesterday and she probably hadn't had time to find evidence proving his innocence yet. But it didn't matter; knowing that his sister was still alive was already good enough for him.
Rose sat in the audience watching her brother's appearance with slightly red eyes as she tightly clasped her hands together on her lap. She was waiting for Khalil's message; she had been waiting all this time hoping everything would turn out alright.
Elliot noticed Rose's nervousness and gently patted her shoulder while Rachel who sat at the plaintiff's seat breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Tom's answer. She exchanged a glance with Madeleine who also looked excited about their impending victory.
Meanwhile, as soon as they finished discussing their verdict inside court, there was suddenly a loud rumbling noise outside which caused vibrations even within the courtroom itself.
Everyone looked around at each other confusedly, wondering what could be happening. "What's going on?" "Could it be an earthquake?"
Madeleine and Rachel exchanged another serious look amidst all this chaos worried about any further complications that might arise from this situation but Rose's eyes lit up upon hearing the sound – could it be Khalil rushing over?
Elliot sitting beside her relaxed visibly too – he finally arrived!
Outside court doors, a helicopter slowly descended while a police officer ran in shouting loudly, "Your Honor! New testimony has just emerged!"
"What?"
Madeleine and her sister looked panicked as they gazed towards the courthouse entrance, their eyes filled with disbelief. They had thought everything was taken care of!
Tom, sitting in the defendant's seat, lit up with joy. Someone could prove his innocence!
Rose also stood up excitedly and looked towards the courthouse entrance.
Thank goodness! It was just in time.
Elliot, on the other hand, remained calm and collected as he sat in his chair. He seemed to have known what the outcome was.
Amidst everyone's intense gaze, a man dressed in South Eskeau attire was brought into the courtroom by police officers.
Tom saw that familiar figure and his face darkened with anger. Preston!
As soon as Rachel recognized who it was, her pupils shrank and her pretty face filled with panic. How could he be here?
Just then, the judge's solemn voice rang out. "What is your name?"
"Preston."
Preston lifted his gaze; his face pale and voice hoarse.
"Are you here to testify for defendant Tom?"
"Yes."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Goodbye You Never Loved Me novel (Martha and Stefan)