Chapter 57

"Who was the person?" Cedric's voice was laced with ice as he set the file aside, his gaze sharp and intimidating.

Timothy shook his head. "There's very little surveillance in that area, and the dashcam didn't get a clear shot of their face. The police are hoping to find clues from the driver involved."

The person was either mentally unstable, running onto the road in the middle of the night, or they had a grudge against Liliana. It was impossible to know.

After a moment, Cedric spoke. "Have them start by investigating the family of the deceased in Hale's case. If that turns up nothing, they can question my wife."

With Hale's trial today, a loss was practically guaranteed. Liliana was bound to be emotional. He didn't want her worrying about the car accident on top of everything else. The last thing he needed was to come home to a grieving wreck every night. He found himself missing the quiet, peaceful days.

"And tell lan," he added, "if Sylvia's neighbors are willing to settle, offer them the maximum compensation. Settle it quickly." He had no more patience to waste on this, or any other matter.

"Understood," Timothy said, making a mental note of each instruction before leaving to carry them out.

At the Riverbend City courthouse, Liliana saw Hale for the first time since his arrest. In just a few days, he seemed to have aged ten years. The once-bright, cheerful young man was now withdrawn and desolate. His head was shaved, his face ashen, his jaw covered in stubble. The moment he saw Liliana, his eyes reddened.

"Sis, I didn't mean to... she really just ran into me..."

Liliana leaned forward, speaking to him through the barrier. "I know. Don't worry. We'll find the evidence to get you out."

"Sis-"

Before he could say more, an officer led him to the defendant's table. Liliana had no choice but to return to the gallery, her hopeful gaze fixed on Attorney Kerr.

The courtroom was filled with the heart-wrenching sobs of the deceased's mother. Her grief

swayed the other spectators, won et

turned to glare at Liliana with daggers in their eyes. Chuck and Vida, though heartbroken for their son, had chosen seats fær in the

bagkaway back away from the potential wrath

thiyagis result, atk

of the victim's family. As a

the hostile stares and whispered insults were directed at Liliana

alone. She felt as if she were being flayed alive, but she forced herself to sit tall, as close to Hale as possible.

The trial began. The prosecution's lawyer and Attorney Kerr clashed, each word a potential turning point in the case. At first, they seemed evenly matched. But when Ker presented his evidence, it was deemed too circumstantial not direct enough to prove anything conclusively. He began to lose ground.

An hour later, the trial was over. Hale had lost.

He was sentenced to prison, and the Preston family was ordered to pay the deceased's family 1.6 million in damages. Liliana watched in horror as Hate broke down, sobbing like a helpless child as he was forcibly led away in that moment, the the faces of the victim's family vanished, replaced by a fleeting, almost imperceptible smile.

rrow on

"Miss Preston, let's talk outside," Attorney Kerr said, wiping sweat from his brow. He gave her an apologetic nod.

She followed him out to the courthouse steps. "I'm very sorry, I did my best," he said. "But based on the family's reaction just now, I believe they're hiding something." He had been watching them closely during the proceedings, analyzing every subtle expression.

"So where do we start looking now?" Liliana asked urgently. "Can I visit Hale?"

"I'll file for a visitation request and let you know when it's approved," Kerr assured her. "I've already found a few leads. It's best if you stay out of it for now. And please, be careful."