Court Case

The courthouse was quiet and hushed despite the media circus outside. Cameramen and press menu rippled by the entrance, their lenses pointed at the double doors ready like hungry hounds. Inside, under the seal of the Federal High Court, two sets of lawyers occupied opposing tables.

On the right sat Runes, face still mottled from fading bruises, his expensive suit perfectly tailored but his hands restless against the tabletop. Next to him, his lead counsel, Fred, was already arranging files and opening a slim laptop.

On the left sat Seth, arms relaxed, posture straight, eyes fixed on the bench. Beside him, his own counsel, Mrs. Bola, a lawyer whose calm smile made interns tremble. Behind him is his lawyer and his entire PR team.

Seth glanced at Runes momentarily only to see the snake's eyes were already fixed on him with a sly smile. He chuckled, there was still one thing Seth was yet to understand.

He knew Runes way too well and he knew he hated playing the victim card. He would never want anyone to see him as weak but here he was, playing that card way too well.

Seth looked away, his face as calm as ever, his eyes fixed on his lawyer who sends an assuring look his way. He exhaled.

He wasn't anxious, he just wanted this to be done and over with. He had other business to attend to.

The gallery behind them was packed with journalists, rival executives, and curious law students. Security officers lined the walls.

The court registrar called the matter: Sterling Corporation versus Blackwood Empire, civil claim for damages. The judge, Hon. Justice adjusted his glasses and nodded for opening statements.

Fred rose first. “Your Honour, this is a simple but grievous matter. My client, Mr. Sterling, a respected businessman, suffered an unprovoked assault at the hands of Mr. Blackwood on the premises of Blackwood Empire. The injuries..” he gestured subtly at Runes’s face “...are visible even today. We seek compensation in the amount of one billion dollars for medical costs, reputational damage, and the disruption to Sterling Corporation’s business.”

Murmurs rippled through the gallery. Bola stood next. “Your honour, the defence will show that the claimant’s version omits critical facts. Mr. Blackwood did not ‘attack’ Mr. Sterling; he acted in defence of his wife, who was being physically restrained by the claimant at the time. We have video evidence.”

Judge Justice raised a hand. “You will tender it in due course. For now, let us proceed in an orderly fashion.”

The morning moved like chess. Witnesses were sworn in; Dante testified about what he saw in the lobby. Security officers described responding to a disturbance. Fred tried to paint Seth as hot-tempered, showing photographs of the bruises in color printouts.

Bola countered by overturned the testimony about Runes arriving unannounced and agitated, demanding to see Seth, then blocking Thea’s path.

Seth sat still, answering only when spoken to. His lawyers whispered occasionally, sliding documents back and forth. Every so often, he glanced at the gallery but did not see Thea.

He had told her not to come, she didn't have to be dragged into this. It was unnecessary. She's been through enough and I wasn't going to let Runes hurt her again.

At midday the judge announced a recess. Reporters ran for the doors, phones already raised. Seth remained seated, fingers steepled, while Bola leaned in. “He’s overplaying his hand. As soon as we tender that tape, their case collapses.”

Seth nodded but his eyes went to the empty second row again.

Should he have had her here instead? He wondered, his hand fiddling his phone as though wondering whether or not to call Thea..

When court resumed after lunch, the atmosphere had shifted. Fred pushed for a ruling.

“Ypur honour, given the evidence of injury, we request that judgment be entered on liability, leaving only quantum for trial.”

Bola rose. “With respect, your honour, the evidence is far from uncontested. We have an exhibit that goes to the heart of liability.”

Judge Justice inclined his head. “Proceed.”

The bailiff dimmed the lights and rolled a monitor closer. Bola inserted a flash drive. Grainy footage filled the screen: the Blackwood lobby. Time stamp, camera angle, clear audio.

It showed Runes stepping into Thea’s path, gesturing angrily, then seizing her arm. Thea’s face pinched with pain. Seconds later Seth appeared, striding across the floor. The footage stopped just as the confrontation turned physical.

A hush fell over the courtroom. Even some of the journalists stopped typing. The judge scribbled notes. “This is authentic?” he asked.

“Certified by our security vendor, your honour,” Bola said, handing up an affidavit.

Fred was on his feet instantly. “My Lord, this does not excuse excessive force…”

Before he could finish, the courtroom doors opened with a creak. Heads turned. Thea Blackwood walked in.

She wore a tailored navy dress and carried a slim folder. Her expression was composed but her eyes burned. She walked down the center aisle, past the whispering gallery, and took the spare seat beside Seth.

“Thea..” Seth muttered, sounding almost too pleased to see her.

Her hand met his under the table with a small smile. “I'm not going to let you do this alone.”

Only then did she look at the judge.

“Your Honour,” she said softly but clearly, “I request permission to address the court.”

Judge Justice blinked. “Madam, are you represented by counsel?”

“I am an interested party, your honour,” Thea said. “I have just filed a civil claim this morning at the registry. It concerns this same incident.”

There was a ripple of confusion. Seth’s brows lifted, a flash of surprise, then something warmer, pride glinting like steel.

Judge Justice leaned forward. “Explain.”

Thea set the folder on the table. “Your honour, I am Mrs. Thea Blackwood, the woman shown in the video. I was injured by Mr. Sterling’s nails when he grabbed me. Here are my medical photographs and hospital report.” She handed the bailiff a packet.

“Accordingly, I am suing Mr. Sterling for assault and battery and for the same amount he now seeks from my husband, one billion naira.”

A collective gasp rose from the gallery. Reporters scrambled to tweet. Fred’s jaw actually dropped before he caught himself.

Bola’s lips curved in the faintest smile. She whispered, “That’s right.” under her breath. Seth’s hand tightened once on Thea’s knee under the table.

Judge Justice paged through the documents the bailiff had handed up. “I see the endorsement of the claim and filing stamp.” He looked at Fred. “Counsel?”

Femi cleared his throat, visibly rattled. “Your Honour, this is irregular. The claimant…”

“The claimant,” the judge said dryly, “has just been accused on video of initiating physical contact. And now faces a counter-claim from the alleged victim. I think both matters should be heard together.”

He tapped his pen. “This court will not be used for theatrics. We will consolidate the suits and proceed to trial. The evidence already tendered will be considered in both actions.”

Fred sat down slowly. Runes’s face had gone pale under the bruises.

Seth leaned toward Thea. “You didn’t tell me,” he murmured.

She met his eyes. “You had enough on your plate. I went to the registry during recess.”

For a moment his expression softened, all the restrained power of him focused on her. “You’re incredible,” he said quietly.

Over the next two days the case unfolded under the new, combined caption Sterling v. Blackwood / Blackwood v. Sterling.

Bola methodically walked the court through Thea’s medical report, Dante’s corroborating testimony, and the security footage. Fred tried to salvage his narrative, suggesting Thea’s injuries were trivial, but each question only highlighted Runes’s aggression.

Runes himself took the stand. Under cross-examination his answers grew evasive. Why had he gone to Blackwood Empire without an appointment? Why had he grabbed Thea instead of simply leaving? His explanations sounded like excuses. By the afternoon of the second day, even some of his own shareholders in the gallery looked away.

Thea testified as well, voice steady, recounting the pain in her arm, the humiliation, the shock of seeing her husband attacked for defending her. She did not look at Runes as she spoke.

Seth never raised his voice. He let his lawyer work. But each time Thea stepped down from the witness box he stood to pull out her chair.

That was his woman.

On the third morning, Judge Justice delivered judgment.

He summarized the evidence: the unannounced visit, the physical restraint of Thea, the proportionality of Seth’s response. He noted that the video contradicted the claimant’s narrative and that the counter-claim was supported by medical evidence.

“The court finds,” he said at last, “that Mr. Sterling initiated the contact which led to the altercation. Mr. Blackwood acted in reasonable defence of his spouse. The claim for damages by Mr. Sterling is therefore dismissed. On the counter-claim, the court awards nominal damages to Mrs. Blackwood in the sum of one billion dollars, subject to set-off of costs and further assessment.”

Gasps, then an eruption of whispers. Reporters rushed for the doors.

Runes slumped, staring at the desk. His lawyer put a hand on his arm but he shook it off.

Seth exhaled slowly and turned to Thea. Pride flickered openly across his face now. “You okay?” he murmured.

She allowed herself a small, fierce smile. “Yes. I'm fine. You won.”

He reached for her hand. “Let’s go home.”

Outside, the cameras flashed like lightning, but for the first time in weeks Thea felt no fear.

Seth laced his fingers through her, his grip firm as cameras flashed and reporters hurried towards them.