novelraw Chapter 54: Brewed Vengeance
Chapter 54: Brewed Vengeance
Aria’s POV
Early the next morning, the penthouse was still wrapped in a heavy silence when the doorbell rang.
I opened the door,and standing across was a tall, sharp-featured man in a perfectly tailored dark suit carrying a leather briefcase.
He stretched forth his hand, introducing himself "Good morning. My name is Francis. Andre invited me here to help him with a case"
"Ohh Francis, please come on in. My name is Aria by the way" I said reciprocating the handshake.
I went in to help Andre into the sitting room who on sighting Francis beamed with joy as they exchanged pleasantries.
"Hey buddy" Francis smiled as he bent over to hug Andre "I see you have landed yourself in a wheelchair with your stubbornness"
"Quit it, bastard" Andre replied jokingly.
Sharon helped sit Andre on the armchair before disappearing into her room.
Sipping the coffee I served him,Francis listened intently, occasionally nodding or asking a short question as Andre and I explained everything bit by bit starting from the attempt from Ethan to steal the company to the arrest of Lucian based on some DNA that was found on Victor’s body and bedroom.
When Andre finished, Francis leaned back and exhaled slowly."This is going to be quite complicated but lucky for us we just have to get him out first and we’ll have ample time to beat these prosecution lawyers in their game"
"How do we get him out then?" I asked anxiously.
"So from what I’m seeing here,the core strategy for today’s bail hearing is straightforward," Francis started "We will only need to prove two things to the judge:one is that Lucian is not a flight risk and that he has no prior criminal record. We emphasize his ties to the community emphasizing how he has helped the society through his role as the CEO of Voss enterprises and Mrs Voss."Francis turned to me. "I need you to come with me to court. Your presence will show strong family support. It humanizes Lucian and reminds the judge there’s a wife waiting for him."
Andre nodded. "Exactly.Today is about showing the judge that Lucian Voss is a stable, responsible man who belongs at home, not in a cell."
I shook my head immediately, anxiety spiking in my chest. "I can’t. Leaving the penthouse right now is too risky. The FBI and SEC are probably watching every move and they could arrest me the second I step outside."
Francis didn’t flinch. "With all due respect, Mrs. Voss, if the FBI and SEC were ready to arrest you, they would have already burst through that door. They’re building a case, not rushing. Your husband needs you there today. Sitting in the front row sends a powerful message Mr Voss’s family stands united and believes in his innocence. It can sway the judge more than any legal argument."
I looked at Andre for support, but he gave me a small, encouraging nod. "He’s right, Aria. I’ll stay here and monitor everything with Mike and aside from the courtroom drama, Lucian also needs to see you."
My stomach twisted, but I knew they were both right. I couldn’t possibly hide forever. "Fine," I said reluctantly. "I’ll go. But Marcus will be coming with us and we leave the moment the hearing is over."
Francis stood. "Good. We leave in twenty minutes. Dress like a widow if you must, just ensure you look tired and weary so as to draw the judges pity."
I changed into a simple black gown and tied a scarf around my neck,bid Andre goodbye then joined Marcus and Francis in the car.
By the time we got to the courthouse, reporters had already gathered outside, cameras flashing the moment our car pulled up. Marcus and Francis flanked me as we walked inside, shielding me from the plethora of questions.
Immediately I stepped inside the courtroom, I spotted Lucian seated at the defense table, his hands cuffed in front of him.
Our eyes met across the room, and for a second the entire world narrowed to just him.
With Francis’s intervention,the bailiff allowed us a brief moment so I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around him as tightly as the cuffs and the guard permitted.
"Aria," he whispered into my eye"You shouldn’t be here. It’s too dangerous."
"I had to," I whispered back, tears burning my eyes. "I couldn’t let you face this alone. We’re getting you out today no matter what ."
He placed a kiss on ear. "I love you Aria and whatever happens, remember that I’ll always have you in my heart."
The guard gently pulled us apart and led me to my seat in the front row. The reporters were inside, now capturing my intimate moment with Lucian and I could see Francis smirking by the side. This was exactly what he needed.
The judge entered moments later, and the bail hearing was called to order.
I barely had time to breathe before a woman in the back row stood up abruptly. Victor’s wife. I recognized her from company events . She was always elegant and graceful but now her face was twisted with grief and hatred.
She pointed a trembling finger straight at Lucian.
"Murderer!" she shouted, her voice cracking through the courtroom like a whip. "What did my husband ever do to you that you had to kill him so mercilessly? You took everything from him and now you’ve taken his life! How dare you sit there like you’re innocent!"
The courtroom erupted in chaos. Gasps, murmurs coupled with cameras flashing from the permitted press section. The judge banged his gavel repeatedly, calling for order, but Victor’s wife kept shouting, tears streaming down her face.
"Monster!You don’t deserve bail.I pray you rot in jail for what you did to my Victor!
I regret the day my husband met your miserable father!!"
"Put yourself together Ma’am or I’ll have to tell the guards to walk you out" the Judge threatened but she wasn’t done.
"If you think you can use your influence to get out of this then just know you’re a joker because I’ll do anything to keep you in here even if it’s the last thing I do!"