"Okay, I understand. Later, I'll convey your words to the suspect and the suspect's family." Freddie nodded as he jotted down the details in his book.
Afterward, he looked up at the two of them and asked, "Do you two have any ideas regarding the suspect's subsequent conviction?"
Even though the court would still be the one that determined the final sentence, as victims, Sonia and Toby, could put forward their suggestions regarding Anya's sentence.
Of course, the judge would definitely take into consideration that many victims' ideas were more radical and far exceeded standard sentencing due to their personal stakes in the matter, so the judge generally wouldn't adopt their suggestions when they were making the final conviction. Still, it was necessary for Freddie to follow the procedure and ask Sonia and Toby even if the judge wouldn't use their ideas in the end.
"I don't have any suggestions. I'll just leave it to the court. I'm not someone who will disregard the law just for wanting to achieve my selfish desire," said Sonia. The smile on her face had faded at that query, and her expression became slightly serious when those words escaped her lips.
Meanwhile, Toby, who was sitting cross-legged next to her, added, "Although we won't interfere with the final sentencing by both your side and the court's side, I can still plot against the suspect if I wish to after she has entered the prison, can't I?" He looked up and stared at Freddie.
Freddie avoided his stare. Then, he let out a cough while covering his lips. "Well, President Fuller, we can pretend we know nothing as long as you don't go too far with your scheme."
As he spoke, he smiled at Toby. I have no choice. I'm powerless against a big taxpayer like President Fuller and the contributions his ancestors make to the country. Never mind us. Even our superiors will turn a blind eye and overlook President Fuller's small request. In that case, why should we even bother?
"Then, please pretend like you guys never see anything when the time comes," Toby smirked in satisfaction.
Freddie couldn't help that awkward cough bubbling up his throat as he replied lowly. "Yes, sir."
As she paid half a mind to the conversation between the two men, she certainly knew what they were talking about. It's nothing but wanting to give Anya a hard time in prison. I could stop Toby from cooking up such a scheme if Anya is just an ordinary person. After all, the crime that she committed wasn't as serious as murder or arson, so I'm okay with her having to serve a few years in prison. But—she is Connor's daughter. The animosity between Connor and the Fuller Family alone would make it impossible for me to curtail Toby's actions. But, even if I can, I still won't stop Toby. Because first of all, he and I are on the same side, and secondly, I have ways to go before becoming a part of the Fuller Family and am not qualified enough to intervene in Toby's actions to seek revenge on Connor. For that reason, I will pretend to know nothing about such matters.
Sonia flipped her hair over her shoulder as she looked at Freddie and asked out of curiosity, "By the way, based on Anya's situation, how many years will she be sentenced?"
Freddie pondered her query for a few seconds before giving her a detailed answer, "Since the two sets of dresses she had stolen are worth tens of millions, that alone is enough to let her be charged with robbery. Not to mention, she also deliberately ruined the dresses. So, that automatically makes her doubly guilty. The preliminary judgment shall be more than ten years for cases like these."
Nevertheless, in Freddie's mind, he speculated Anya would serve more than ten years in prison once convicted. She had stolen items worth tens of millions and even destroyed them out of malicious intent. In my opinion, ten years are considered less for her. After all, many who had been involved in stealing items that cost more than 100,000 will be sentenced to eight years—let alone her, who stole tens of millions.
"But of course, this is just my assumption. As for the specific details, we still have to wait for the court to make the final judgment," Freddie hurriedly added. "Since the two of you have chosen not to negotiate with the other party. We'll immediately arrange for the trial application to be submitted after we have notified the suspect and her family."
"I understand." Sonia nodded slightly and stopped asking further questions. Honestly, I'm satisfied that she'll be sentenced to more than ten years in prison. Anya is currently twenty-seven years old, and if she's sentenced to more than ten years in prison, she'll be thirty-seven or forty years old. By the time Anya is out of jail, society probably has developed in a way I can't imagine, and it'll be impossible for her to start out again. After all, by that time, Toby's vengeance would have come to fruition, and Connor would probably be long dead by then. Besides, without Connor's backing, Anya is merely a lone person wandering around society after her release from prison. So perhaps there's a high chance she can't get on with her life. Come to think of it; her future ending does sound pretty tragic, doesn't it?
"Do let me know the time of trial in advance, and I'll arrange for a lawyer to attend the trial." Toby's cold voice resounded in the room.
When Sonia heard his words, she turned to look at him. "Are you planning for us both not to be present for the trial when the day comes?"
Toby gave her his full attention while explaining the reason behind his arrangement, "We don't have to waste our time by attending trial sessions for matters with solid evidence such as this."
Suddenly, Sonia smiled, "You're right. There's indeed no need to waste our time on such a person like Anya. Just let the lawyer attend to it, then."
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