Chapter 45: 45:Court Hearing
Martha eyed Evan with suspicion, letting out a faint squeal.
"Did this bastard have plastic surgery?" she grumbled before turning to Suri who blinked her eyes in confusion.
A memory flashed before Suri's eyes. She recalled the scene of a boy with minimal presence and a gloomy outlook arriving at the scene, trying to hold back his mother who pounced on her before being beaten by the mob.
However, despite this, Suri never pitied that guy. After all, as an actress, she knew how deceptive the world could be.
How could she know if the boy was acting to draw others' sympathy?
Now, seeing him, Suri understood one thing.
"Martha, I think he previously acted poor and gloomy. Otherwise, do you think people change so much in just a few months," Suri snorted, glaring at Evan deeply.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Evan noticed Suri's gaze filled with resentment locking onto him but there was nothing he could do except sigh helplessly.
A few reporters hammered their way towards him.
"Mr. Evan, what do you have to say about the harassment you suffered?"
"What do you expect from today's court session?"
Annoyed by the barge of comments, Evan paused a bit and then found the nearest mic and spoke.
"No comments and please don't make us more uncomfortable."
That was all he said before entering the courtroom without commenting anything further.
Following them, Suri and her team also took their places.
Entering the courtroom, Evan was startled to see his parents, Henna and Migol, already seated.
"Hmm! So you are finally here bastard?" Henna screamed and was about to say more when a person shouted, shutting her off.
"Please maintain the decorum inside the court.
Noticing Evan's smirk, Henna glared at him. If eyes could spew fire, she might have burned down the courtroom's entrance.
The hostility didn't go unnoticed by Suri's eyes, who was greatly astonished.
Weren't these people from the same family? Why were they behaving like this?
Evan then noticed a frown on Abhijeet's face.
"What happened?" he asked.
"That lawyer. Although he isn't that well-known, he is a notable figure," Abhijeet replied solemnly.
"Rea…Wait…He wasn't the one who fought the first case," Evan gasped before looking at Abhijeet again.
"Can you handle it?" Celina asked anxiously
Abhijeet chuckled and spoke confidently, "My price is enough to tell my worth. Just compare it and you will know…"
_____
The courtroom buzzed as Judge Reina entered and presided over the session.
Her expression was stern and cold.
Suri Barrett sat composed, flanked by her lawyer, Sina, while Evan's parents, Henna and Migol, were accompanied by their lawyer, Johnson. Evan and Celina, accompanied by his lawyer Abhijeet, sat at the centre.
Judge Reina took her seat and looked over the room.
"Good morning, everyone," she said warmly yet firmly. "Let's begin today's proceedings."
The lead counsel began the statements by informing
Getting the signal, Sina rose to address the court. "Your Honor, my client, Ms. Barrett, has been the victim of a malicious attack on her reputation by the defendants. They not only caused damage to her property but also resorted to threats and blackmail. We demand justice for the harm done to Ms. Barrett's name and reputation."
In response, Johnson stood and spoke in a defiant tone."Your Honor, the defendants deny any wrongdoing. This was an unfortunate accident, for which they have expressed remorse. There was no intent to harm Ms. Barrett's reputation, and any claims to the contrary are baseless."
Soon, Sina and Johnson engaged in heated debate, exchanging sharp court words.
Evan watched the scene, turning his head back and forth.
''Why do they look like kids fighting over toffee?"
"Ahem! Evan, keep quiet," Abhijeet coughed and reprimanded Evan.
"So, when will you act," Evan asked, drawing a curious gaze from Celina.
"A hero always arrives late…" Abhijeet replied briefly.
Evan "..."
Celina "..."
Never mind, ignore this delusional guy.
Sina, with unwavering poise, began, "Your Honor, the evidence demonstrates the deliberate attempt by the defendants to tarnish my client's reputation. Their actions were not merely an unfortunate accident but a calculated assault on Ms. Barrett's standing in the society."
Johnson countered with an equally loud voice, "Your Honor, while we sympathize with Ms. Barrett's ordeal, we categorically deny any premeditated wrongdoing on behalf of my clients. This was a regrettable incident, exacerbated by misunderstandings and miscommunications."
Sina shot back, her voice cutting through the tension, "Misunderstandings, Mr. Johnson? Threats and blackmail hardly constitute misunderstandings. It is evident that the defendants sought to intimidate and coerce Ms. Barrett into silence."
Johnson retorted, "And yet, Your Honor, there is no concrete evidence to support such accusations. My clients have expressed their remorse for the accident and are willing to make amends. Let us not allow baseless claims to overshadow the facts of the case."
As the courtroom awaited Judge Reina's decision, Sina seized a pivotal moment to further bolster her argument.
"Your Honor," she began, her voice commanding the attention of everyone present, "it's essential to acknowledge that the events in question unfolded in a very public manner. Countless netizens have witnessed the distressing encounter between my client, Suri Barrett, and the defendants."
With a purposeful gesture, Sina handed a USB drive containing video evidence to the court official. "This footage," she continued, "clearly depicts the confrontational nature of the defendant's actions and the subsequent fallout. It serves as an irrefutable proof of the defamation and emotional distress inflicted upon Ms. Barrett."
The courtroom murmured with intrigue as the video was played. Previously, the court was adjourned as Henna and Migol's lawyer shifted blame on Suri's fans for harassing them, leading to Evan's coma. But this time there wasn't any need to hold back.
With Evan's presence, the court could proceed with a repeated session.
The gravity of the situation became palpable as Judge Reina and the jury absorbed the damning evidence presented before them.
At that moment, the weight of public scrutiny bore down on Henna and Migol.
While everyone was focused on it, Abhijeet rolled his collar and smirked at Evan.
"And now, it's time for me to step up."
Looking at Abhijeet's expression, Evan couldn't help but roll his eyes.
'What's with this heroic smile? Did you think of yourself as the protagonist and want me to play background music for you?'