Based on my nature, there's absolutely no way that I will let Asher off the hook. I would have ordered Asher to be disposed of if it weren't for Sonia. Yet, Asher just had to be acquainted with her. He's not just a mere acquaintance either. In fact, he just had to be the senior member of Paradigm, which has brought significant contributions to the company. Moreover, not only was he her father's business partner, but also his good friend.
Even though their friendship crumbled to dust afterward due to conflicts caused by Asher's inferiority complex, we still can't deny that Asher had been a decent friend in the past. Coupled with her soft-hearted nature, it's very likely that she won't mete out a heavy punishment toward Asher out of respect for his contributions to Paradigm. Although I can't deny that my wishes are the exact opposite of her possible decision, I would still respect her choice. That's why I decided to ask her about what she will do with Asher.
That was what Toby thought.
On the contrary, Sonia didn't know what he was thinking. Even so, a hint of hatred immediately appeared on her face when she heard him asking about Asher. "Of course, I will make him pay a heavy price. He nearly killed the two of us, so we should not handle his case lightly."
She balled her fists tighter as her anger grew, so she added, "Nevertheless, I have inquired about Asher's case. According to the police, the most severe punishment he will receive is life without parole. Still, nothing is set in stone. It's also very likely that he may just be sentenced to more than ten years in prison. That's why I'm mad. I would be fine if he receives life without parole, but I would be utterly disgusted if he only gets sentenced to more than ten years in prison.''
Toby stared at her with slight shock in his eyes and asked, "So, you want Asher to receive life without parole?"
Sonia nodded resolutely. "Yes. The only problem is that life without parole in Caruna doesn't mean the individual convicted in court will spend the rest of their natural life in prison. They will still be released after spending 20 or 30 years, at most, in prison. Oh, how I wish for Asher to spend the rest of his life in prison so that he will never taste freedom. Just imagining him being released and tainting the cityscape 20 or 30 years later makes me want to shudder."
Life without parole, huh? That's a rather vague sentence in Caruna. Here, getting sentenced for up to 20 or 30 years is defined as life without parole. Therefore, there's no such thing as truly locking the individual up for the rest of their life. However… There are such criminal sentences abroad, though.
As Toby thought of that, he curled his lips into a faint smile. He couldn't deny feeling relieved after truly understanding her sentiments regarding Asher.
I was truly afraid that Sonia would go soft on Asher. Nonetheless, I'm also surprised that her hatred for Asher has peaked to such an extent. Is it because of my near death?
No words could describe how triumphant Toby felt at that very moment. He would probably be wagging his tail so hard he might strain it if he were a puppy.
"I can make it work if you want Asher to receive a genuine life sentence or even the death penalty," Toby answered nonchalantly with narrowed eyes.
As Sonia never doubted his words, she was overjoyed when she heard his words before she shook her head in resignation. "There's no need for Asher to receive the death penalty. After all, Paradigm is indebted to him. Besides, his crime doesn't warrant the death penalty. In fact, imprisoning him for the rest of his natural life and taking away his freedom forever is far more tormenting to him than receiving the death penalty. Since death can be considered a way out for him instead, I think he should receive a life sentence. But I have to ask, what do you intend to do with him?"
"There's no actual life without parole in Caruna, but there is such a sentence abroad. Therefore, I will change Asher's nationality and send him to a country where he will be forced to spend the rest of his days behind bars. I assure you that he will spend the next few decades of his life in a small prison in a foreign country."
"That's good." She nodded agreeably.
After he received her agreement, he spoke once more, "Call Tom and inform him of this decision. He'll know what to do."
"Okay," she immediately agreed. Then, she thought of something and smiled. "Speaking of which, Mr. Brown still doesn't know you're awake yet. We really should call him and inform him of this good news. He will be thrilled. He had transformed into a busy bee these past few days, moving back and forth between Fuller Group and the hospital. He even had to make a trip to the airport to pick up the predetermined heart from the carrier for the heart transplant procedure. His dark circles had gotten almost as dark as a panda's eyes. I was so worried that he wouldn't be able to hold on and collapse when I saw him working himself to the bone. Now that you're awake, he can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Make sure to reward him well once you have recovered and are discharged from the hospital. But don't you dare try to leave the hospital without the doctor's green light."
"I will." Toby nodded, for he knew very well all the pressure would be on Tom alone when he collapsed.
Since he was never a stingy boss who liked to be indebted to his subordinates, he surely would compensate for Tom's sacrifices twofold.
"Alright, then. I'll be making that phone call in a bit. Besides, my 10-minute visit is almost up. We can talk through the glass if there's anything else you want to discuss," Sonia said as she gestured to the glass wall.
As Toby, too, knew very well that he wasn't in a general ward, he instantly pouted and complained, "But the glass wall is both bulletproof and soundproof. You can't hear me."
"It's okay. I'll write what I want to say on a clipboard and stick it on the glass," she said with a smile, utterly dismissing his complaint.
He frowned upon hearing her remarks. "But I can't write."
She tilted her head as she tried to think of a solution before musing, "It's okay. I'll make sure to write things that wouldn't require you to overexert yourself. Then, you only need to nod or shake your head in response. That way, I'll know what you want to say."
With that, Sonia slowly rose to her feet and intended to leave the ward when suddenly, Toby called out to her, "Wait!"
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