Chapter 255 Counterattack
Natalie licked her lips and replied honestly, "A little bit."
She removed her hat and placed it on her knee, revealing her delicate features. Despite the courtroom being filled with high-profile individuals, her beauty stood out significantly. Many attendees stole glances at Natalie and Roger, given his status as a distinguished foreign figure.
"Who’s the lady next to Mr. Wild? I didn’t know Mr. Wild had a wife," a financial journalist whispered to a colleague. The marital status of a business magnate was noteworthy, potentially signaling a powerful alliance affecting the economic landscape.
"That’s not Roger's wife. Her name is Natalie; she’s a model. She’s already married, but there were rumors about their relationship previously. However, Roger made it clear that those rumors were unfounded," the colleague whispered back.
"I see," the financial journalist muttered, continuing to watch them discreetly. "But from a man's perspective, the way Mr. Wild looks at Natalie... It is so gentle. It surely is the look of a man in love!"
"Are you considering a career change from financial journalism to entertainment reporting?"
"No, no, just indulging in some harmless gossip."
The courtroom's attention soon shifted to Henry and an attractive man who entered, causing a stir.
‘How did Henry find himself as the defendant?’
‘And who’s the striking man in the Armani suit taking the plaintiff's seat?’
‘What’s happening?’
The confusion lifted when the prosecutor began the indictment. Due to a lack of evidence against Oliver for murder, that case was not pursued. Instead, today's trial centered on Oliver suing Henry for defamation!
‘Oliver in the plaintiff's seat?’
The courtroom buzzed in disbelief, their eyes fixed on the nameplate that indeed read ‘Oliver’.
‘Hadn't Oliver been described as a disfigured outcast?’
‘He’s astonishingly handsome!’
Rumors had painted Oliver as weak and dying, but this man stood tall, his health evident in his stature and the suit that fit him perfectly.
Numerous business magnates present felt regret for not marrying their daughters to Oliver. Even if they had to take the initiative, there was no doubt their daughters would eagerly accept based on his appearance alone! Not to mention, he had been recognized as a business prodigy since his youth.
Edwin, also among the audience and seated unobtrusively, was taken aback by these developments. However, he quickly felt a sense of relief. Regardless of whether Oliver or Henry fell, it would benefit him. If Oliver were eliminated, he would face no competition for the family fortune. Should Henry fall, driven by Henry’s hatred for Oliver, Henry would likely bequeath his entire estate to Edwin.
Edwin, twirled his ring, pleased with the prospect of being the ultimate winner.
Given the compelling evidence amassed, Oliver planned to remain silent; his attorney, Antony, would handle the proceedings.
After the initial shock subsided, some attendees noticed Oliver's seemingly foul mood.
Upon entering, Oliver's gaze immediately found Natalie in the gallery. He had expedited the legal process for her sake, wishing to shield her from these proceedings. He wanted to spare her the distress of such grim matters.
Natalie was in the front row of the gallery, closely following the trial proceedings. Beside her was Roger, the man who had fought with Oliver. Clearly, it was Roger who had brought Natalie to the courtroom.
Unlike Oliver, Roger was willing to fulfill Natalie's wishes indiscriminately. He was prepared to provide her with whatever she desired, give her any knowledge she sought, and shoulder the consequences on her behalf.
For a brief moment, Roger's and Oliver's gazes locked, each perceiving a deep-seated hostility in the other's eyes.
Natalie's gaze remained fixed on Oliver, her expression stoic, betraying no emotion. She was nervous around him, but seeing him unmasked and dignified in the plaintiff's seat alleviated her concerns, which were replaced with a complex emotion she could not quite name.
Despite the distance of over ten meters between them, Natalie and Oliver's eyes met. His eyes, light brown and inscrutable, were impossible to fathom.
Natalie puzzled over why her presence seemed to irk him. She had no role in his plans. Had she not woken in the night, she would never have encountered the murder scene; without Roger's intervention, she would not have seen Oliver at the police station or been able to attend the trial. All she could do was wait, anxious and powerless like anyone else might feel in such a situation. But she was far not just ‘anyone else’; she was Oliver's wife.
With this realization, she lowered her eyes, a faint smile touched by bitterness and irony flashed on her face.
Oliver caught this subtle gesture, his brows knitting together almost imperceptibly. He cast a sharp glance at Roger, then redirected his attention back to the trial, where the proceedings were escalating with the presentation and cross-examination of evidence.
Henry had spared no expense in securing top lawyers to challenge the prosecution's evidence.
Natalie's anxiety grew as she had not anticipated Henry's defense to be so formidable. Moreover, piecing together evidence from a case that was over twenty years old posed a significant challenge.
"Don't worry," Roger whispered reassuringly to Natalie, "These are merely preliminary moves…."
‘The decisive play has yet to be made!’
Roger, having kept tabs on Oliver's subordinates and updated with the latest information before the trial, had a good grasp of Oliver's strategy. He could not help but admire the man's shrewdness.
Calmly, Antony said, "Your Honor, we wish to call upon a witness."
A man with a stooped posture emerged, still dressed in the Windsor family's servant uniform.
"Jaxon?" Henry exclaimed in disbelief. This man had been one of his most loyal aides for over thirty years!
Jaxon looked toward Henry, then addressed the judge, "Indeed, Mr. Windsor was responsible for his wife's death. His profound affection for Mrs. Madison led to Mrs. Norton's despair and subsequent suicide. A few months following Mrs. Norton's demise, Mr. Windsor took Mrs. Madison as his wife.”
"The Norton family was unhappy with these developments, and Mr. Windsor, seeking to enhance his business and social standing through the Norton family's influence, decided to get rid of Mrs. Madison to safeguard his interests and status."
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