Chapter 297 Tugging on Heartstrings
The second trial began.
Once again, Gabriel arrived at the very last moment, but this time Harrison turned up to watch the proceedings.
Noticing Sophia, Harrison gave her an encouraging thumbs-up.
Sophia, with a detached gaze, looked away.
During the court session, Jake Hughes remained a steadfast presence by Sophia's side, who sat resolutely next to her attorney, Lawyer Twist. It was Lawyer Twist who initially spoke on her behalf, laying out her defense.
Neither side was willing to give an inch.
"My client has something she'd like to say," Lawyer Twist announced.
"Go ahead," the judge prompted.
Sophia stood, and before she could speak, tears were already swirling in her eyes. Her hands, hanging by her sides, clenched into fists as she fought back the tears.
Stay calm, she told herself, you need to win, you must speak clearly.
"Your Honor, may I ask if you have children?" Sophia asked.
The judge nodded gently in affirmation.
"I believe many of us here do," she continued. "I used to think that children were just a hassle. I even entertained the thought of never having children in my life. But everything changed when I became pregnant.
"I watched as my belly grew each day, felt them dancing inside me, and my heart was filled to the brim.
"The doctors advised me to reduce the pregnancy, claiming my body couldn't handle bearing triplets. They suggested I terminate at least one, preferably two, to avoid endangering my health and risking a complicated delivery.
"Indeed, I suffered from a difficult labor and excessive bleeding. Luckily, I survived, and the children were born safely.
"I remember thinking then that they must be angels sent from heaven, my lucky stars."
The tears fell unexpectedly, clear and bright like transparent pearls.
"They've been so good since they were little, crying softly, allowing me to be by their side day and night, watching them grow from tiny bundles into toddlers who learned to walk and call me 'mommy.'"
Sophia's voice began to break, and many in the room were moved by her empathy.
"Ethan is very smart and responsible, though he makes mistakes sometimes. Emma is adorable, full of mischief, always getting into trouble and sending me to apologize to neighbors.
"Even so, I could never bear to scold them. I want to give them the best life and education, and I hope they grow up to be contributors to society.
"Recently, my ex-husband has unilaterally prevented me from seeing the children. I don't know what I did to deserve such punishment.
"They must have cried a lot because they could not see me.
"I don't know if they've been eating well or if they've lost weight.
"I sincerely want to spend my life loving and being with them.
"Your Honor, although I'm not as wealthy as Gabriel, I will work hard to earn money. I'll make sure my children receive the best education possible."
Sophia's speech touched many in the courtroom.
Gabriel's brow twitched subtly as he watched Sophia weep across the room, feeling an unusual stir in his heart.
The second trial came to an end.
This was the final court hearing, and the ultimate verdict would take a few more days to be delivered. Lawyer Twist gave Sophia a thumbs up.
"Miss Kelly did well; I was almost in tears. I think the judge will give you some extra points for that performance," he remarked.
Jake Hughes also smiled, "Yes, I believe the judge was moved. Judges are women too; they can empathize more easily with other women. Sophia, relax a bit and wait for the results with peace of mind."
Sophia, comforted by both men, tried not to show her anxiety and managed to squeeze out a smile.
"Thanks, both of you," she said.
"Let's go grab some lunch," someone suggested.
Harrison nudged Gabriel's arm and said, "I almost cried during that part where the kids were separated from Sophia. Don't you think that was a bit too harsh?"
Gabriel replied, "That smooth-faced guy who's been around Sophia isn't simple; I suspect he advised her to stage today's scene."
Harrison teased, "Oh, Lancaster, you're not jealous, are you?" The tone of his voice was almost like he was taunting Harrison, who was sure he'd hit the mark.
Gabriel shot a cool glance, "Do you think I get jealous?"
Harrison, defying him, said, "Yes!"
Gabriel, too cool to engage further, walked away with long strides.
Harrison followed suit. "Wait for me," he called out.
Jake Hughes drove, with Sophia in the passenger seat. While at a red light, Gabriel's Bentley pulled up alongside them.
Harrison rolled down his window.
"Hi," he greeted Sophia.
Sophia gave him a quick glance, but when she caught sight of Gabriel's impeccable profile in the back seat, she coldly rolled up the window.
Harrison touched his nose, "Thanks to you, Lancaster, Sophia is ignoring me now."
They had planned to invite Lawyer Twist for a meal, but halfway there, Twist mentioned he had other commitments, so it ended up just being Jake and Sophia going to the restaurant.
Jake Hughes ordered a wide variety of dishes, catering to Sophia's usual tastes.
"You've lost too much weight recently; you need to eat more and get some strength back,” he suggested.
"Mhm," replied Sophia.
When the food arrived, Sophia didn't eat much, despite Jake's persistent attempts to encourage her; she only took a few more bites before putting down her fork.
Jake Hughes sighed inwardly, and his resentment towards Gabriel grew.
After dropping Sophia off at home, Jake Hughes headed to the office.
Upon arrival at the office, the warm and comforting puppy transformed into a cold and expressionless corporate titan, cloaked in a dark and ominous aura.
"What's been happening with the Lancaster Group lately?" Jake asked as his assistant, Ken, followed him into the office.
Ken replied, "There's been no activity."
Jake furrowed his brows. Gabriel wasn't the type to just wait around for things to happen. Their lab had been burned down; how could there be no reaction?
Gabriel wouldn't just accept defeat like that.
"Stay alert," Jake instructed.
"Understood!" Ken replied.
At eight in the evening, Vincent knocked on Sophia's door.
When Sophia came to open it, he was shocked.
"Sophia, you..." he began, noticing how much weight she had lost, but before he could finish, he saw her bitter smile.
"Come in first," she suggested.
Vincent had been busy with surgeries and hadn't been able to visit Sophia.
If Sophia hadn't messaged him, he would have gone straight home after his surgery to catch up on sleep.
After performing surgeries all night and not leaving the operating room the next day, Vincent was physically and mentally exhausted. However, seeing Sophia's frail appearance pained him deeply.
"I'm sorry, I haven't been able to make time to be with you lately," he apologized.
"It's fine, I know you're busy. The trial ended today, and we'll have a result in a few days," Sophia said with a smile. "Did you bring the medication I asked for?"
Vincent took out a small paper bag that contained a pill.
He advised, "Take half a pill at a time."
Sophia answered, "Okay, I know. Don't worry."
"Sophia?" Vincent called her attention.
"Yes?" she replied, puzzled.
"Is there anything else I can do to help?" he offered, feeling helpless.
Sophia shook the medicine in her hand. "You've already helped by giving me this. Vincent, please don't be too hard on yourself. You're already doing something incredible by saving lives. My issues are nothing compared to your work," she insisted.
Vincent felt a heavy weight in his heart.
His success in helping Sophia fake her death and leave the country with her children years ago had involved an element of luck, and if he tried to repeat the same tactic, it certainly would not succeed.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
