Chapter 559: Fight Back
The judge and jurors left the courtroom. Tension eased; the audience chatted, speculating about Oscar's sentence. Some predicted the electric chair, given the murder. Northfield law, they believed, dictated harsher punishment for such crimes committed by city officials.
The room buzzed. Hannah watched Oscar, his lean frame somehow undiminished by the prison uniform. He remained as striking as ever.
He met her gaze and smiled, seemingly unconcerned. Hannah felt tears welling. She wasn't sure if he knew whether he would be acquitted. His unwavering smile offered no clue.
Hannah's distress was evident, even to Susan, who took her hand. "Don't worry," she murmured, "All will be fine." Susan, though aware Oscar would likely face severe punishment, couldn't understand the guilty verdict given the lack of motive. Her legal ignorance left her helpless, only able to offer comfort.
Half an hour later, the judge and jury returned. Silence fell. The judge rapped his gavel, about to pronounce sentence, when Josh interjected, "Your Honor, I can prove my client's innocence." He'd been biding his time, awaiting a signal from Hannah. His moment had arrived.
The judge looked surprised. The prosecutor objected, arguing Josh had no new evidence. The objection was sustained.
Then Melvin stood. As a representative of the Investigation Department, he had the right to speak—a right the judge couldn't ignore. "What else would you like to add?" the judge asked immediately.
Melvin stated that the defense attorney had asserted he possessed evidence of innocence and therefore deserved to present it.
The judge appeared bewildered; he merely wanted to sentence Oscar and be done with it. But Melvin, without waiting for permission, declared, "Mr. Aaron, you have one last chance. Failure to provide evidence will render your statements legally irrelevant, and we will sentence the defendant to the maximum penalty for contempt." His possessive tone shocked the courtroom.
Josh hesitated. Some in the audience mocked Oscar; Charles smirked, believing Melvin's intervention would only increase the severity of the sentence. He saw it as a boon, making a harsher penalty for Oscar seem more justifiable. The Balderston family, he reasoned, lacked the courage to oppose the Collins family, ensuring the latter's rise to power and his own advancement through their favor.
Lost in thought, Charles finally composed himself. He left the gallery, Theodore following. In the restroom, as Charles began a call, Theodore appeared. "Mr. Sawyer," he said, "aren't you eager to see Oscar sentenced? Why leave at such a crucial moment?"
Charles, flustered with Theodore's presence, couldn't make the call. Theodore's pointed questions and intrusive presence prevented him from contacting anyone. Charles, feeling increasingly uneasy, paced the courthouse grounds, unable to leave before the trial concluded.
Returning to the gallery, he switched off his phone. Theodore returned, a gleeful expression on his face.
"Agreed," Josh said, "My client will accept a harsher penalty if I cannot provide the evidence."
"Do you agree, Mr. Wells?" Melvin asked.
"Agree," Oscar rasped.
Melvin addressed the judge: "Your Honor, I suggest we grant the defense one more chance."
The judge, having no other choice and unwilling to antagonize the Balderstons (at least not yet), agreed. "Counsel for the defense, proceed," Melvin said, settling back, his demeanor remaining composed and impressive. The audience was captivated. Hannah, too, was struck by Melvin’s aristocratic bearing and effortless grace.
Josh thanked Melvin, then declared, "The prosecution presented financial statements, cash, and witness testimony to accuse my client of corruption. I will now demonstrate he was framed. First, regarding the cash, I have video proof that it was placed in my client's home while he was away. Your Honor, please view this evidence."