FreeNovel
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
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtpossession, 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.”
28 9 3 3 2 2 5 3 2 3 F 3 F
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.
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Chapter 577
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!”
As Cedric was about to walk away, Jason called out to him.
“Cedric, my brother!”
Jason handed the grandmother over to a bodyguard and approached Cedric with a steely
gaze.
“The crowd gasped. “Big brother?”
Cedric and Jason were actually brothers?
Brothers facing off in court, one voicing for the victim, the other defending the elite. The
drama was set, and the verdict awaited.
Cedric watched with gritted teeth as the thorn in his side swaggered up to him, his hands
practically turning white from the force of his clenched fists.
“Even though I’m your big brother, before the law.”
“We are all equal. I don’t expect any special treatment from you. I know you too well. Even
if it’s family, you’re not the type to pull punches.”
Jason’s clear, spring–like eyes curved slightly, his demeanor calm and assured. “As the
legal representative of Erica, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Elspeth, the
murderer, pays the price she deserves.”
Upon hearing her granddaughter’s name, the woman was a picture of grief and despair,
her face buried in her hands as she wept. The reporters, witnessing the scene, were
moved, and their gazes towards Cedric were far from friendly.
“Murderer? That’s a strong word,” Cedric retorted with a sneer, “The real culprit behind
Erica’s death is Ward. He was caught red–handed and has already confessed and faced
the consequences. Elspeth was wronged, and I’m here to clear her name.”
Jason let out a derisive laugh. “So, Cedric, are you suggesting that a person guilty of
embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power, framing others multiple times, and drug abuse
was wrongfully arrested?”
“Don’t twist my words or confuse the issue. Elspeth has made mistakes, but they’re not
punishable by death. She’ll accept the consequences for her actions, but she won’t be
made a scapegoat for a personal vendetta.”
Jason’s expression darkened, and he fell silent.
He knew better than to engage in a tit–for–tat with Cedric – it would only play into his
cunning trap and give him the chance to play the victim.
The reporters watched Cedric with a cold intensity, their disdain growing by the second,
their silent support for Jason palpable. With only half an hour before court was back in
session, Cedric, as Elspeth’s lawyer, had one final chance to see her.
In the visitation room-
Elspeth sat there, shackled and in prison garb, yet her hair was perfectly styled, and she
appeared in good spirits.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmEven behind bars, she was meticulous about her appearance, knowing that her standing
as a high society lady wasn’t entirely forsaken. Frederic hadn’t abandoned her, so she
dared not let herself go. She ate sparingly, maintaining her slender figure to reignite
Thaddeus’s affections.
Once she was free, she was confident she could make a triumphant return. She had faith
that she could win Frederic back from Cynthia’s grasp, just as she had twenty–five years
ago.
With a glint in her eye, Elspeth eagerly said, “Cedric, you must get me acquitted this time,
no matter what. Once I’m out, forget about being a legal consultant for the Abernathy
Group. Whatever you want, I can provide! Or how about marrying into the Abernathy
family? My eldest daughter will be yours. Wouldn’t that rid you of the need to look over
your shoulder at the Ashbourne family? Wouldn’t that make your little brother, the
Ashbourne family’s lapdog, irrelevant?”
Cedric was unimpressed. He never really considered Jason a threat.
Chapter 577
But marrying into the Abernathy Group now that was tempting!
Glynnis was known to be nasty and dim–witted, but if he became one of the Abernathy,
he’d rise to the top, truly joining high society.
So what if Glynnis was a bit rotten? He’d just have to outdo her in cunning.
Cedric cleared his throat and asked in a hushed tone, “Elspeth, this is our last
conversation before the trial. I need you to be completely honest with me. The trial’s
about the hit you allegedly ordered. Ward has already implicated you. Luckily, they lack
solid physical evidence, so we have a sliver of a chance. Tell me, what exactly did you
instruct Ward to do?”
“It was Glynnis I told to handle it, I never show up in person!” Elspeth didn’t hesitate to
throw her own daughter under the bus.
“But you tried to silence Ward by having him killed in jail. He’s out for revenge, and I doubt
he’ll mention Glynnis. He’s going to focus on you.”
“The judge presiding over the trial is your younger brother, right? Didn’t you talk to him?
Get him to look the other way?”
“Mt brother is a stickler for rules. I’ve spoken to him, but he wouldn’t commit to anything.
He’s unreliable.”
Cedric then whispered, “One more thing, you must tell me. Is this the only life you’ve
taken? Are there others I don’t know about?” Elspeth’s body shook as if struck by
lightning!
Suddenly, she felt a chill down her spine as the ghastly image of Cynthia, twisted and
lifeless in a pool of blood, flooded her mind. once again.
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