Chapter 143 Cressida Faints in Miguel's Arms?
Marlon had handled countless murder cases and dealt with many suicide deaths. When it came to homicide, he could always find flaws. No matter how cunning the killer or how spotless the scene looked, the body would never lie. Marks on bones, for instance. The degree of fracture caused by suicide versus strangulation was completely different. Marlon had always been confident in his skeletal examination techniques.
However, when his fingers touched Michael's cold neck skin and rubbed it twice, his body suddenly froze. Clio, who had been burning paper money up front, had already noticed his actions and hurried over with the help of family members and maids.
"What are you doing to Michael's body!" Clio demanded with red-rimmed eyes.
Cressida stepped forward to explain for Marlon: "This is Senior Judge Mr. Nguyen. He believes there are doubts about Michael's death and came specifically to examine the body." Her voice was just loud enough for all the mourners to clearly hear her.
Everyone looked surprised and gasped. "Mr. Nguyen thinks Mr. Hamilton was murdered?"
"Who would be bold enough to do such a thing in the royal prison?"
"This is outrageous. This is the Hamilton estate's mourning hall!"
Only Clio rushed forward, her bloodshot eyes locked on Marlon, as she asked urgently: "Mr. Nguyen, is what you're saying true? Was Michael really killed by someone?"
Before Marlon could respond, Clio began muttering to herself: "I knew it, I said so all along! Michael would never commit suicide. Someone must have killed him!" As she spoke, she suddenly turned her head, her hateful gaze fixed on Cressida.
Just as she was about to rush forward and question Cressida, Marlon spoke: "Mrs. Hamilton, you've misunderstood. I did have such suspicions, but after examining the body just now, I found nothing unusual. The angle of the vertebrae fracture at Michael's neck is perfect, and completely consistent with suicide."
Clio's body stiffened, as she in place. After a long while, she said trembling: "I don't believe it! Michael must have been killed by someone. I knew him best. How could he commit suicide?"
Seeing Clio's firm attitude, Marlon planned to reach out again to check if Michael's hyoid bone was fractured. In cases of murder, the hyoid bone often showed damage.
Just then, Patrick, who had been resting, walked in with the funeral director. The director glanced at Marlon's hand fumbling in the coffin and was immediately shocked, shouting: "Stop!" He rushed forward, grabbed Marlon's wrist, and scolded angrily: "What do you think you're doing? The deceased's body cannot be touched casually! Especially a suicide victim—disturbing the dead will bring disaster!" His voice was loud, causing everyone in the hall to change expression.
Patrick strode forward, his face terrifyingly dark. He grabbed Marlon by the collar, eyes blazing: "Marlon! As a senior judge, you dare act so recklessly at Michael's mourning hall! Today is his funeral day, yet you're examining the body here—are you trying to bring unrest to the Hamilton family?"
Peter immediately stepped forward to separate them, explaining: "Mr. Hamilton, my father is just trying to find out the truth about Michael's death. There really are doubts about this matter."
Marlon straightened his sleeves and said in a deep voice: "Patrick, I understand you're devastated, but the fact is, Michael's death is unusual. I've already reported this to His Majesty, and he supports a thorough investigation."
As soon as he finished speaking, Noah rushed in to announce: "Prince Miguel has arrived!"
Everyone turned toward the courtyard. Miguel's tall, upright figure appeared at the door. Wearing black boots, he stepped over the paper money scattered across the ground. His royal ceremonial robe embroidered with black and gold patterns, made him appear even more imposing. Behind him, eight guards carried a royal plaque with four gilded characters "Loyal and Righteous" that stood out starkly against the white mourning hall.
The moment Miguel entered the hall, the noise instantly disappeared, and everyone bowed respectfully. Patrick hurried forward, saying respectfully: "I didn't know Prince Miguel was coming and failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."
"Duke Hamilton, no need for formalities." Miguel nodded. "I'm here on my father's orders to present this plaque to the Hamilton family." He gestured, and the guards immediately brought the plaque forward.
Patrick looked at the plaque, his eyes reddening.Feeling both honored and ashamed, he wiped his tears and bowed: "Prince Miguel, Michael didn't die honorably. He broke the law, yet His Majesty still grants this plaque. I'm truly ashamed."
Miguel looked at him, his tone calm but carrying undeniable authority: "Who said this is for Michael?"
Everyone was stunned, including Patrick. Then they heard Miguel say: "My father is bestowing this plaque on you, Patrick. Your integrity and strict family discipline are qualities my father admires."
This statement caused an uproar. Everyone understood immediately. Doyle was rewarding Patrick for his previous act of putting righteousness before family. He had reported Michael's crimes and even mortgaged the family crest to the court in advance, proactively asking for punishment on Michael's behalf, which had moved Doyle.
Only after receiving the plaque did Patrick slowly come to his senses. So Cressida was right—this approach had indeed pleased Doyle. Breaking the law deserved severe punishment, and by proactively asking for forgiveness, he had earned Doyle's pardon. But the price was Michael's life. Thinking of this, Patrick looked at the plaque with mixed feelings—royal favor and punishment had always been decided by the monarch's word alone.
Cressida stood aside, her expression calm and unmoved.
Only Clio cried until she nearly fainted. In her eyes, Doyle's action was no different from publicly declaring that Michael deserved to die.
Miguel's gaze turned to Marlon. His voice was low as he eyes swept over the coffin: "Marlon, I heard your argument when I came in. You forcibly examined the body on such a day—did you find the evidence you wanted?"
Marlon's face changed, and he quickly bowed to Peter in apology."Prince Miguel, please calm down. I meant no offense. I acted rashly this time and disturbed the Hamilton family. Please forgive me."
"Am I the one you should apologize to?" Miguel raised an eyebrow.
Marlon immediately realize his mistake and turned to bow to Patrick and Cressida: "I beg Duke Hamilton to forgive my mistake."
With Miguel present, though Patrick's face was ashen, he didn't say anything harsh, only saying coldly: "Doing inappropriate things at an inappropriate time is itself disrespectful to the deceased!"
Peter frowned, about to speak in defense, but Marlon stopped him. "I was inconsiderate. All the fault is mine." Marlon took all the blame.
Cressida pressed her lips slightly, standing aside watching quietly, never saying a word. In her eyes, Marlon was just a pawn of Sophie's. He came with guards, clearly intending to examine the body by force even if everyone tried to stop him. Knowing Patrick had just lost his only son and was devastated, yet still acting this way in the mourning hall was undoubtedly stirring up public anger.
Cressida thought to herself—Doyle had already made his position clear. Should she add fuel to the fire? Only by making the final decision herself and completely closing Michael's case would those noble families in Emerald City not dare to make a big deal of it anymore. After all this trouble, she was already exhausted. For the foolish Michael, it wasn't worth spending more energy.
Thinking this, she looked up at Miguel in the distance, just meeting his gaze. Their eyes met, silently exchanging a look. Just as Miguel was about to speak, Cressida suddenly closed her eyes and fell sideways.
Miguel's expression changed dramatically. He stepped forward in two strides and steadied her, thinking to himself: So that's what her look meant? He almost misunderstood!
Exclamations rose all around. Emma screamed: "Ms. Hamilton has fainted from anger!"
Peter rushed forward to help, but was pushed away by Jessica. Jessica's eyes were red as she choked out: "Cressida endured her grief to arrange Michael's funeral, yet you're causing trouble here—you're clearly bullying us on purpose!"
Patrick, already full of rage, became even more furious and ordered sternly: "Noah, show them out!"
Marlon tried to explain but was pushed and dragged out by the guards. Peter looked anxiously at Jessica, but she only left him with a resolute back.
Soon, as Cressida had predicted, this incident caused a huge uproar in the court and beyond. Doyle took the opportunity to express his anger, completely finalizing the outcome of Michael's case.