Chapter 135


    The entire courtroom was upended with a wave of confusion. They were all shocked. Their murmurs buzzed louder, their pointed fingers became more tant.


    Carynnes eyes twinkled. Shes finding Ises counterattack to be very interesting.


    However, there was no chance for Carynne to step forward here. People were now starting to talk about Carynne, Ise and Raymond alternately.


    Order! Order in the court!


    And no matter how loudly the judge hammered down his gavel, none of the people inside the hall listened. Likewise, the voice of Carynneswyer was buried. It took a while before thewyer managed to speak to the judge clearly.


    Your Honor, the witness testimony is wholly irrelevant to the case at hand.


    But the judge seemed to think otherwise. He shook his head.


    I dont believe its irrelevant to this case. Isnt the witness talking about the defendant?


    Thewyer grimaced a little for a moment, but he soon set down his documents and approached the witness stand, where Ise was sitting. ncing down at her, he slowly opened his lips to speak.


    Miss Ise Evans.


    Yes.


    Can you take responsibility for your words?


    O-Of course.


    Swiftly, thewyer asked another question.


    How long has it been since you regained consciousness?


    It has been about two days.


    And how long did youy unconscious?


    Seven months.


    At this, thewyer turned away from her and faced the judge and the jury.


    Dear members of the jury. We must first consider how far we can trust the testimony of a person who had been in aa for seven months.


    This was how the cross examination started.


    She is an adult who has enough wherewithal to make rational judgements. Your Honor, thewyer is unjustly attacking the character and credibility of the witness.


    Despite the prosecutors counter, the judge did not agree with that either.


    No. Its a matter for consideration.


    The prosecutor brought out another document for the judge to read. Frankly, the judge seemed to be a little fed up with the continuous stream of additional evidence. Its getting quite evident that someone was pulling some strings to overturn the original course of this trial.


    I would like to submit a doctors note. It states clearly that the witness is in good health, enough for her to make rational judgements.


    After skimming through the document that the prosecutor had presented, the judge nodded.


    Continue.


    Undeterred, thewyer went in on Ise Evans again. Her face was entirely stiff.


    You were originally engaged to Sir Raymond Saytes. Isnt that right?


    Ise hesitated a little before she replied.


    Yes, thats right.


    And youve been unconscious ever since the fire. For seven months.


    Yes, thats right.


    As Ise replied in a slightly more timid voice, thewyer pressed her further.


    While you were in aa due to the fire, a lot of things had changed in the meantime. Carynne Hare became Carynne Evans, and she is now engaged to the man who had once been your fianc.


    Thewyer fixed his stare on Ise Evans.


    Then, you must despise Carynne Evans very much, correct? Enough to say that you bear a grudge towards her.


    Uh, uh, yes, but


    Ises face turned pale.


    Your Honor, thewyer is repeatedly distressing the witness on purpose.


    But again, the judge disagreed with the prosecutor.


    We cannot ignore the fact that the witness has such a rtionship with the defendant.


    I, Im


    Ise flinched back slightly, and it was evident in her expression that she was feeling cornered. She looked at her father. <i>Help me, Father.</i>


    As expected.


    The moment he saw his daughter look at him, Verdic Evans stood up from his seat. As expected, Ise was still too young and weak. As her father, he needed to step up.


    To kill that red-haired witch.


    * * *


    Ise, Ise! Are you awake?


    Father? Mother?


    Verdic and his wife immediately drew Ise into a hug as they shed tears. Ise called out to them in a raspy voice, blinking dazedly as she was confused. Ises mother hugged her tightly and cried. Verdic, too, cried.


    Ise was finally awake. Their daughter, who had been lying unconscious for months on end, was finally awake.


    Locked in their embrace, Ises eyes went wide, and her face was painted with such confusion.


    Why Whats wrong?


    Her voice hadnt been used for so long now that whenever she spoke, she could only do so with a hoarse voicethat she herself loathed to hear. Ise frowned and touched her neck. She was still very confused. She just woke up from slumber, but her parents were holding her and weeping like this. Her head was spinning.


    Do you know how long its been since you werest awake?


    Huh?


    Ise did not seem to have a clue as to what this meant. After Verdic spoke, his wife soon gave the answer to Ise. She caressed her daughters cheek again and again.


    Its been seven months since you fell into aa, Ise.


    H-Huuuh? What?


    Incredibly perplexed, Ise sprang to her feet. However, her legs were still weak, so it wasnt long before she stumbled and copsed back. As she was sitting again, Ises mouth just gaped open. All too suddenly, her entire world was turned upside down. Seeing her daughter like this, Verdics wife shouted at a maid.


    W-Water!


    The maid then rushed to pour a ss of water, then brought it over to Ises unsteady hand. Ise hurriedly gulped down the honeyed water, coughing in between. She took a few more sips, then finally spoke.


    S-Seven months


    Yes. There was a fire at the Hare mansion, and you havent been conscious ever since then, Verdic exined to his daughter.


    Seven months


    Ise raised her head. Verdic and his wife were thrown into pity and sadness as they continued to hear how weak their daughters voice was. Much too many things happened while their daughter was asleep.


    So many things.


    T-Then how is Sir Raymond?


    Thats the question Verdic least wanted to hear from her, but In the end, she still asked it. Verdic sighed inwardly.


    In the end, he chose the wrong man for her. Now that he had to tell his daughter that Raymond and Carynne had gotten engaged, just as much as he was about to shatter his daughters heart, so too did his heart feel like its about to break.


    Ise.


    Verdic gently pushed her back so that she was lying down again. Its still too early for his daughter to be up when shes still sick.


    You dont have to care about him any longer.


    <i>I can just buy you a new one. </i>Verdic pressed down on the urge to cuss in front of his daughter.


    Its alright, its alright. There were plenty of other handsome men out there. Next time, Verdic would be sure to rein the next man in properly. So that he would not rise too high.


    Just focus on your health first and foremost.


    <i>Ill buy you a new man as soon as you get well.</i> Verdic vowed to himself.


    But Ise turned pale, and she called out to Verdic.


    F-Father.


    Ise clutched Verdics sleeve with trembling hands.


    Sir Raymond Did he p-pass away?


    Id rather that he <i>did.</i>


    Verdics wife scornfully admitted. She abhorred Raymond. She loathed Carynne. And she was absolutely disgusted by her own husbandthe very man who attracted the likes of those two vile people in the first ce.


    Verdic turned to his scowling wife.


    Honey!


    Verdic quietly seethed at his wife, but he saw that she was looking at their daughter with tears profusely streaming down her face. He gritted his teeth. He knew that his wife wasnt all too fond of their daughter, to the point that shed act like this.


    That man left you.


    Wife!


    M-Mother? WWhat are you talking about.


    Verdic grabbed his wifes shoulder.


    Ise just woke up.


    Is that important right now? Is <i>that man</i> important?


    Wife!


    Let go of me!


    She pped Verdics hand away, hard.


    Sir Raymond Saytes, that man you like so much. He is now engaged to another woman. Not you. Your Father brought in an adopted daughter for the sake of his business and arranged for that man to be engaged to <i>her.</i>