Chapter 334 Elliott is Released
Just then, after some discussion among the jurors, they looked at Winnie seriously. "Plaintiff, defendant, the evidence is complete. If you fail to provide evidence proving Elliott's innocence, his conviction will stand. You will then be charged with contempt of court, illegal acquittal, intentional defamation, and other crimes, leading to your arrest."
Lawrence paused and his brows furrowed deeply.
As Mr. and Mrs. Ordelia witnessed their successful rebuttal, their smiles faded. Mr. Ordelia adjusted his suit, preparing to leave with an air of elegance. It was evident to them that this lawsuit had doomed Winnie.
At that moment, the courtroom door suddenly swung open, and a beam of light shined in. Winnie's breath became shallow and abruptly stopped as she sharply turned her head.
"Wait!" Olivia shouted as she appeared from behind the police officers. Two judicial police officers walked in and entered the courtroom, escorting someone. "Our witness, Jeffery, has arrived!" Olivia yelled hoarsely.
The entire courtroom fell silent. Mr. Ordelia, who was about to leave earlier, stood frozen as he couldn't process what was happening. Mrs. Ordelia's dignified face trembled heavily. Darcy, who was seated beside Lawrence, incredulously widened her eyes in disbelief at the scene unfolding before her.
Mr. Wilson stood up excitedly and exclaimed, "Your Honor, in Elliott's case, we request to resubmit the evidence. Please grant us time for the important testimony from our witness, Jeffery."
Lawrence squinted slightly, unable to hide his astonishment. Jeffery had committed suicide on the fifth day of his detention. Yet, here he was clearly alive. The situation left him shivering involuntarily, wondering what on earth was going on.
As Winnie's gaze turned toward Jeffery, Lawrence observed her, thinking that this woman was somewhat interesting. She exceeded his expectations in a way that was not simple. This case, in particular, had piqued his interest with its unexpected turn of events.
Jeffery's resurrection left the entire room in stunned silence. Winnie, her heart trembling, was the sole person fixated on Jeffery's desolate face, exhaling a long breath. Amid the hushed atmosphere, only she was privy to the truth: just before the trial, Winnie had coerced Olivia into fabricating and photographing the severed finger of Jeffery's daughter, a sinister means of intimidation. In the end, she had won the bet.
Dealing with someone as heartless as Jeffery required even more extreme measures. After all, he did not want to watch his daughter die. Winnie wiped the cold sweat from her hands and her icy gaze swept across Jeffery, her intentions obvious. Jeffery had no choice but to give in. He took his place in the witness stand, his gaze flickering with hatred as he looked at the Ordelia family.
Suddenly, he extended his finger toward them and said, "Elliott didn't kill my uncle Jacob. He was framed. It was the Ordelia family's intention to make Elliott take the blame and die in prison. They assigned me to do this, to send Jacob to jail and to drug Elliott..."
"You're talking nonsense! You are not Jeffery at all as Jeffery has already committed suicide. Your Honor, Winnie has brought forth a false witness. This matter must be thoroughly investigated!" Mrs. Ordelia panicked and was the first to stand up and roar, "Check his DNA, he definitely is not Jeffery!"
Winnie sneered and calmly replied, "Mrs. Ordelia, why are you so convinced that Jeffery is dead? Could it be that you killed him in custody and then staged a suicide?"
As Mr. Ordelia's face changed color, he reflected on the moment he had personally collected Jeffery's ashes. However, as he met Winnie's cunning eyes, a sudden wave of anxiety washed over him. Further contemplation only deepened his distress. "What are you talking about, Winnie? I think you've become addicted to slander."
"Whether it's nonsense or not, I have evidence. This is Jeffery's DNA proof, as well as the forensic report confirming the presence of poison in his system. The injection took place on the very night of his suicide! Mr. Wilson, please present it to the judge," Winnie confidently stated. With a smile, Mr. Wilson handed over the evidence, causing Mr. Ordelia's face nearly crumbled in disbelief. Winnie had turned the tables on him, skillfully resurrecting Jeffery; she had played her trump card. As the weight of realization settled in, he slumped in his chair.
Winnie turned to Jeffery and said, "Now that we have proven that you are indeed Jeffery, please continue and reveal the truth about Elliott's case."
Jeffrey nodded and continued, "The hallucinogenic drug was given to me by Mr. Ordelia. The Ordelia Group privately manufactures it and sells it in the black market."
Mr. Ordelia retorted, "Nonsense! The Ordelia Group is a very reputable company and we will never stoop that low. Jeffery, it seems you have been bribed by Winnie. How much money did she give you to treat your former boss like this?"
"Hah!" Jeffery laughed coldly at Mr. Ordelia. "The money to bribe prison guards was transferred to me from the Ordelia Group's account. I have records of it. And as for the Ordelia family relocating my family abroad to silence me, I have all the audio recordings as evidence!" Jeffery once again revealed the truth of the crime scene that night in the prison.
The entire courtroom was in an uproar as the audience absorbed the shocking revelations.
"So, it was indeed the Ordelia family who hired a hitman to kill the disabled Elliott?"
"Why? The Ordelia Group is also influential in Trento City. What could they possibly have against a criminal?"
"It seems that the Ordelia Group really does produce illegal drugs, hallucinogens, and sell them at high prices on the black market. They are making huge profits while pretending to uphold medical ethics!"
"Oh my god, I have also bought anti-cancer drugs from the Ordelia Group. I hope they don't contain any illegal ingredients!"
For a moment, during the live trial, the insider information about the Ordelia Group's medical practices spread widely. Netizens were shocked and wished they could throw away all the medication they had from the Ordelia Group. The Ordelia Group's stock at their pharmaceutical factory in Lymington plummeted instantly.
Mr. Ordelia was so angry that he was on the verge of a heart attack. Mrs. Ordelia's face turned as pale as sheet, while Darcy, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, displayed a range of hues. Fear gripped her, worried that Jeffery might unveil something that could jeopardize her secrets.
The judge reviewed the evidence submitted by Jeffery, and after an hour-long deliberation, a verdict was announced in court. "In regards to the case of Elliott's murder in prison, the plaintiff, Winnie, is not fabricating charges. The Ordelia Group, without a doubt, engaged in bribery of prison guards and used threats to coerce Jeffery into participating in the murder plot.
"Jeffery is not only a witness but also the primary offender in this case. Now, according to the law, Jeffery will be arrested, and individuals connected to the Ordelia Group's medical practices will be summoned for questioning. Hence, the case of Elliott killing Jacob is not established. Elliott was illegally placed in solitary confinement by prison guards, endangering his health. This court decides that he can be released on bail for medical treatment!"
"Winnie!" Elliott trembled all over, tears streaming down his face as he limped toward Winnie. "Did you hear that? I'm innocent, Winnie. Thank you for saving me!"
Winnie, too, couldn't believe that the court showed leniency and allowed him to be released on bail for medical treatment after serving three years. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged her uncle. "This is great, Uncle Elliott. You're getting out of prison!" Olivia also cheered, sharing in the joyous moment with Winnie and her uncle.
Observing the scene before him, Lawrence's gaze was dark and deep. He pocketed his phone, leaving the partially dialed number of a high-ranking court official on the list. The emotions concealed in his eyes proved challenging to interpret. It appeared as though past grievances and hatred had somewhat diminished, yet still lingered.
In contrast to Winnie's tears of joy on the plaintiff's side, chaos erupted around the Ordelia family as reporters besieged them. Mr. and Mrs. Ordelia were about to be taken away by the police for questioning. Darcy felt like the sky was falling apart. In a panic, she ran over and tearfully grabbed Lawrence, pleading softly, "Mr. L, please talk to the judge. Lymington is under your control. Please ask the judge and the police not to interrogate my parents. They are Trento City residents, and this is not within their jurisdiction!"
As Lawrence heard this, his face turned serious, and he raised a cold smile as he glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Ordelia. Then he coldly looked at Darcy, saying, "Your father targeted a disabled person who was already imprisoned, resorting to medications and using his power to manipulate Jeffrey in a murder plot. Shouldn't he face the legal trial?
"Darcy, I never knew you also held life in such disregard. Or perhaps, were you also involved in this matter? Jeffrey was your assistant, and there's no doubt about that."
Darcy quickly dodged the panic, trembling all over...
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