Chapter 484 Verdict
The judge's gavel came down hard, the sound echoing through the silent courtroom like a hammer striking everyone's hearts.
"Order!"
The judge scanned the room, his gaze stern.
"The defendant, Nicholas, has voluntarily pleaded guilty and does not dispute the charges brought by the prosecution. Given his involvement in smuggling, arms trafficking, and money laundering, all serious crimes with significant social harm, this court will impose severe punishment according to the law."
Nicholas hung his head, his graying hair disheveled and covering his eyes, his hunched back making him look ten years older. As the judge began to read the verdict, his body trembled slightly, but he never raised his head.
"The defendant is convicted of smuggling, illegal trading of firearms and ammunition, money laundering, and other crimes. He is sentenced to life imprisonment, deprived of political rights for life, and all personal property is confiscated."
The verdict caused a stir among the spectators, which quickly subsided at the bailiff's signal.
Lila, sitting next to Nicholas, gently closed the case file in her hands, her expression behind her glasses inscrutable. She turned to look at Nicholas, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately just sighed softly.
Anne was still sitting in the witness stand, her face pale, hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes. Her gaze was empty, as if she hadn't recovered from the previous shock.
The judge turned his gaze to Anne, his tone softening, "Witness Anne, considering you are a key witness in this case, truthfully disclosed the criminal facts you knew, actively cooperated with the judicial investigation, and provided important clues during the case's resolution, although you participated in some illegal activities under duress, your subjective malice is minor, and you have shown meritorious behavior. This court decides to give you a lenient punishment."
Anne's head shot up, a glimmer of light in her eyes quickly replaced by fear. She swallowed nervously, leaning forward to hear the judge's next words.
"Anne, for the crimes of assisting in destroying evidence and harboring criminals, you are sentenced to one year in prison, with a two-year probation."
Upon hearing the verdict, Anne's tense body instantly relaxed, tears uncontrollably streaming down her face. She slumped in her chair, muttering, "Thank you, thank you."
Edward, beside me, let out a long sigh, "It's finally over."
I nodded, but my gaze fell on Lila. She was tidying up the documents on the table, her movements methodical. Halfway through, she suddenly looked up at me, her expression complex. I frowned slightly at her, but she just shook her head gently and continued her task.
Nicholas was being escorted out of the courtroom by the bailiffs. As he passed his son Lucas, he stopped, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. Lucas, eyes red, turned away, unwilling to meet Nicholas's gaze. It wasn't until Nicholas's figure disappeared through the courtroom doors that Lucas's legs gave way, and he collapsed into a nearby chair, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking violently.
"Lucas?" My voice sounded abrupt in the silence.
Lucas jerked his head up, his eyes behind the glasses bloodshot but dry, his gaze cold and hard like ice:
"Don't come near me."
Edward froze in place, but I crouched down to meet his eyes. "We're just worried about you."
"Worried?"
Lucas suddenly laughed coldly, throwing his cufflinks to the ground. The metal clinked loudly, startling the sparrows outside the window.
"Worried about a criminal's son? Worried I might go crazy and try to overturn his conviction?"
Lucas grabbed his briefcase, shoving the scattered documents inside with forceful, angry movements.
I held his wrist, which was trembling violently.
"We're worried about you. You don't have to act like this..."
"How should I act?"
Lucas shook off my hand, the documents scattering again.
"Should I cry like a dutiful son? Or stomp on him for justice?"
As Lucas bent to pick up the papers, a faded red string peeked out from his collar, a memento from joining the anti-crime volunteer association.
Edward silently helped him gather the papers, speaking softly.
"No one expects anything from you. You can be sad."
"Sad?" Lucas suddenly laughed, the sound sharp and broken.
"When he pleaded guilty in court," Lucas threw the papers into his bag, the zipper making a harsh noise, "I actually felt relieved."
Lucas looked up at me, his eyes clear to the point of obsession.
"I even hoped the sentence would be harsher."
Lucas's footsteps echoed chaotically on the marble floor. I chased him to the courthouse steps, where he was yanking off his crooked tie, stuffing it into his suit pocket like tearing up a worthless piece of paper. His back was straight but fragile, overlapping with the distant bronze statue at City Hall, making him seem even lonelier.
"Lucas!"
I stepped on my skirt, rushing down the last two steps, Edward close behind.
He turned abruptly, his gaze behind the glasses chilling.
"Don't follow me, Diana. Your sympathy won't change anything."
Edward stepped forward.
"We're just worried about you."
"Worried?" Lucas's mouth twitched, but there was no smile.
"From the first time I overheard him talking to drug dealers, I knew he was beyond saving. I had Lila defend him just so I could personally send him to prison."
Lucas's voice suddenly trembled.
"Now his guilty plea has turned my years of effort into a joke."
The clock tower suddenly chimed the hour, the sound echoing across the empty square.
Lucas raised his voice to drown out the chimes.
"The funniest part is, when he was taken away, he looked at me with relief. He thinks spending life in prison can atone for his sins, can make me forgive him?"
With that, Lucas turned and merged into the crowd, his black suit quickly disappearing among the throng.
Edward wanted to chase after him, but I stopped him. The electronic screen in the distance was broadcasting the trial news, the camera sweeping over Lucas's departing direction, capturing only a blurry silhouette.
Edward and I stood at the courthouse steps, looking in the direction Lucas had disappeared, speechless. Just as we were about to turn and leave, a familiar figure caught our eye. Fiona leaned against the black Maybach, her pearl earrings swaying gently with her movements, followed by four suited bodyguards, the air around her heavy with tension.
Edward was the first to react, whispering.
"What is she doing here?"
I shook my head, equally puzzled.
Fiona seemed to sense our gaze, suddenly looking up.
"I've been waiting for you."
Fiona walked over in her red-bottomed heels, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the metal clasp on her crocodile leather handbag.
"The last anonymous evidence was submitted by me."
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