Chapter 77 The Calm Before the Counterattack
Darcy's POV
"Are you both confident that you'll win against Mrs. Carlton?"
"Mrs. Nora Carlton seems like a hard nut to crack, isn't she?"
"What if you lose to the Carlton family?"
"Do you feel pressured by Mrs. Carlton's influence?"
"Miss Darcy are you here to support Mr. Ashford or you're here to defend yourself against the accusations made by Mrs. Carlton?"
Questions fill the air as if replacing oxygen. Adrian and I don't want to say anything yet but I had to provide answers to two questions.
"Firstly, we don't feel pressured by Mrs. Carlton because all her accusations are baseless."
Secondly, we are not here to brag about winning the lawsuit. The results shall tell. Thank you." My voice rings out, after which I give a curt nod.
Adrian places his hand at the small of my back as we proceed into the court building but the continuous interference disturbs our movement.
All thanks to the security personnel, we are able to escape the commotion.
"Are you okay?" Adrian asks and I nod.
Time to settle our scores. Nora Carlton, you don't know what's coming for you. I scoff.
The long awaited time arrived as the proceedings started.
"Defending counsel, I don't see Mrs. Carlton around" the presiding judge comments, her eyes roaming the court room.
"That's correct your honor. My client is delayed by some personal issues but will join us soon," her lawyer informs.
"This is highly unacceptable!" The judge hisses.
Minutes passed and we have no choice than to keep waiting. I mean why? Why should we bend the rule for her.
She's the one who filed for this case in the first place.
Adrian caresses the back of my palm. "Calm down, baby." She says in a low voice.
The door creaks open almost immediately. All eyes turn towards the entrance of the room.
Speak of the devil. She walks in majestically. She holds her chin high as if she owns the place.
"Oh, here she is," her lawyer let out a nervous chuckle as he directs her to sit.
Her nonchalant attitude fuels my anger. She didn't even bother to apologize for her rudeness.
I ball my hands into fists. My heart pounds against my chest. I close my eyes to steady my breath.
I know exactly why Adrian doesn't want me to complain. The more we indulge her, the more she shows how incompetent and unreliable she is.
"Mrs. Carlton, you should apologize to this honorable court for wasting our time!" The judge orders.
Nora laughs nervously, as she nods. "You're right, your honor. I apologize for any inconvenience caused."
We lock eyes and she smirks evily. I don't know the tricks she has up her sleeves but her confidence isn't random.
Once again, the room falls silent as the proceeding starts.
The hearing went on for a while, as Maleek defends and tackles when necessary. Both parties have gathered evidence. But currently, Nora is taking more points.
My hands tremble. I turn to stare at Adrian. Unlike me who is already a mess, he's calm. Closely observing the proceedings.
But I know that look too well. It's the calm before the storm. Without doubts, I know Adrian put in a lot of efforts for us to win.
So what's happening?
"Do you have any other evidence to provide, defending counsel?" The judge asks Maleek.
He readjusts his hat beforw responding. "No, your honor."
The judge nods and turns to the prosecution counsel. "Do you have other evidences to present to this court?"
"Yes, your honor." The voice of Nora's lawyer echoes across the room. He picks up his pace as he submits the evidence to the clerk, who then hands it over to the judge.
I can feel someone staring at me. I need no soothsayer to tell me it's Nora. She's definitely over the moon.
"Your Honor, this evidence is the mental health result of Mr. Ashford."
"Objection, Your Honor. That is a violation of my client's privacy."
"Objection sustained."
Although Adrian remains calm, I can see that his eyes darken.
"First, health records are confidential and should not be pried into without the consent of the owner." Maleek states.
"Objection, My Lord," Nora's lawyer chips in.
"Objection, overruled."
Maleek continues talking. "Second, this is a last record of Mr Ashford's last therapy session and it's from last year, before the death of Mrs. Camille Ashford."
"How are you so sure about that?" The judge raises her eyebrow.
"The date, Your Honor." The numbers are not adding up. That's because the record is outdated." Maleek informs.
"Mr Ashford is now better. He no longer goes for therapy sessions. So he's not a threat to his his daughter."
A ghost smile dances on the corners of my lips. I look at her from the corners of my eyes and she's fuming.
"So you have anything to say for yourself, prosecuting counsel?" The judge inquires.
It's a small win but it makes me happy. Reassuring me that we aren't losing on a streak.
"Yes, your honor" he answers and stands. "We all know that the issue of mental health is very tricky, it doesn't matter if he's alright for now. As long as something triggers them, it can disrupt the mental health. So we can't say his child is still hundred percent safe with him."
My gaze shifts to Adrian, his jaw is clenched hard.
What the hell is this man saying? Even in the court they are still playing tricks. What do they think mental health is? A weather forecast?
"I agree with you. If there's nothing else, the defending counsel should give his closing remark," the judge urge.
"Yes, your honour," Maleek states. His tone is low but clear.
"One way to recover one's mental health is having a stable peaceful home and Mr. Ashford is achieving that."
"The second hearing will be on the fifteenth of next month. New evidences which are relevant to this case can be submitted and will be reviewed accordingly," the judge declares, before exiting the room.
My heartbeat quickens. I bite my inner cheek as I watch Nora walk towards us with her minions.
"I suggest you accept defeat and surrender, so you don't endure more embarrassment." She smirks.
My hands itch to pounce on her beat her squarely but that will help her and not us. People deserve to know the kind of person she is.
"Why the rush, Nora? You're still as impatient as before. Don't be faster than the judge. We have plenty of time, it's better to slowly enjoy every moment." Adrian says calmly.
How is he so calm despite.... wait.
He's not the only one calm. Maleek is too. It's a plan. One they intentionally withhold from me so I can genuinely show my disapproval.
"You should be the careful ones. I'll take my granddaughter away from you people by every means possible. She scoffs and walks away.
Soon we're in the car. I sit at the edge slightly afar from Adrian. I wind down the window a bit. I close my eyes as the cool breeze grazes my skin.
"Baby, are you asleep?" Adrian asks touching my hand but I snatch my hand from his.
He sighs, "I know this is not how you envision the first hearing to go. What we did is because we want Nora to lay out all her cards. That will help us strike back harder.
His phone dings and he takes it out.
"You want to be careful about your choice of games."
The faceless mastermind.
"We should report this person to the police," I suggest.
"No rush. He or she is already worked up. All we have to do is push them harder, wait and watch them reveal themselves."