His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 577

In the thick tension of anticipation, the day of the trial finally arrived.

Early in the morning, Alva slipped into her crisply ironed new dress and carried a large bouquet of fresh lilies to the cemetery.

She laid the flowers before Cynthia's headstone and sat cross-legged on the ground, setting up an iPad in front of her displaying the gentle smile of the departed woman.

"Dear lady, your darling son and his wife are off to seek justice for you today. That witch Elspeth, struck by lightning, is finally going to get her comeuppance."

Alva wiped away at Cynthia's digital portrait, her eyes brimming with tears, "After the trial, the kids will come to visit you. Until then, let me keep you company as we witness this together."

A breeze scented with the fragrance of lilies swept past, as if in silent response.

The case of Elspeth, though filed for a closed hearing, was rejected by the court for insufficient grounds and moved to a public trial.

The Abernathy Group's reputation was substantial, and Elspeth's status unique. But the sheer scandal her case caused in society, and the lack of criteria for a closed hearing, led the authorities to choose the path of a normal procedure to protect their standing from public outcry.

Early in the day, the courthouse was swamped with media, reporters broadcasting live, and the anticipation was palpable.

Then, a black sedan raced up, stopping a few steps from the entrance.

Cedric, unseen in ages, emerged in a sharp suit, capturing the attention of every reporter who surged forward.

"Mr. Cedric! Representing the Abernathy Group in defense of Mrs. Elspeth, what are your chances of winning this case?"

Cedric offered a smug smile, "I've yet to lose a case."

His confidence seemed to forget the numerous defeats he had suffered at the hands of Evadne and Thaddeus.

"But previously, Mrs. Elspeth was detained for drug possession, and despite your representation, you couldn't bail her out. Does this mean you're already at a disadvantage with Elspeth's case?"

Cedric's smile froze, his fist clenched in his pocket.

His assistant quickly interjected, "Ladies and gentlemen, while we represent Elspeth on behalf of the Abernathy Group, by the time we took over, the evidence was irrefutable, and there was nothing we could do..."

"So you're saying if Elspeth had found Cedric sooner, even if she really was guilty of drug possession, Cedric could've gotten her off the hook?" One reporter's disdain for Cedric was thinly veiled, his question sharp.

Many reporters had little love for Cedric, the profit-driven lawyer, knowing well what lay beneath his polished exterior.

Cedric scoffed internally, "My dear reporter friend, I am but a lawyer. Please don't demonize me. Both plaintiffs and defendants have the right to legal defense, a right granted by law. Whoever engages me, whatever the case, it's my duty to defend them. And today's public hearing is on another of Elspeth's charges, which I have been following closely. I'm confident I can win this case."

"So you're fully confident in clearing Elspeth of the murder-for-hire charges?"

With a smug air, Cedric raised his index finger, "The premise of defense is unconditional belief in my client. If she's done no wrong, what is there to clear?"

As he spoke, another car pulled up, and out stepped Jason, calm and composed.

"Madam, take it easy."

Erica's grandmother, leaning on her cane, was helped out of the car slowly by Jason.

"It's the plaintiff's legal representative and the family!"

An eagle-eyed reporter recognized Erica's grandmother, still amused by the time Elspeth had been doused with soup at the funeral.

"That plaintiff's lawyer looks familiar. Oh my god! Isn't that the secretary always beside Miss Ashbourne?" another reporter exclaimed.

"Indeed! He's also a lawyer! Ms. Evadne sure keeps capable people around her!"

Reporters flocked to Jason, who silently stole Cedric's spotlight with his mere presence.

Cedric's veins pulsed with shock. Despite his extensive connections, he had failed to learn who his opponent would be. And now... it was him!

"Mr. Cedric, what do we do now?" His assistant, aware of the tension between the two men, was taken aback.

"Foolhardy and overconfident!"

Cedric gritted his teeth, "Even if he is a top graduate of Elmsworth Law School, so what? He's been Ashbourne's lapdog for years, never having set foot in a courtroom. He's forgotten how to fight a case. He's no concern of ours!"

Cedric thought, "Evadne had sent Jason to spar with me just to irk me. Foolish woman, once we are in court, I will teach you a lesson—in a matter of minutes!"