Chapter 8 Michaela's Court Hearing

In the blink of an eye, it was Michaela Ferguson’s trial. The courtroom was packed to capacity. Thorne wanted to embarrass his wife so he arranged for the trial to be broadcast live.

The netizens' eyes were glued to their television waiting for the trial to begin. They were scolding Thorne and his mistress for treating the legally wedded wife like trash.

They boycotted the Cage businesses because they felt that they failed to raise their daughter well. Her values were questionable. Who told the first loves to bully the legal wives?

The reporters were outside the courtroom waiting to interview the Ferguson family, the Cage family and the Miller family.

The Ferguson elders attended the court hearing with a heavy heart. They wanted to witness the cruelty of their grandson. Also, they wanted to give support to their precious granddaughter-in-law.

Judge Harris banged his gavel and said, “The court is in session.” He asked Mrs Michaela Ferguson to stand. Michaela and her lawyer, Mr Blaze, stood up.

Judge Harris looked at Michaela and asked, “How do you plead, Mrs Ferguson?” Michaela looked at Judge Harris and replied without hesitation, “Not guilty, Your Honor.”

Judge Harris asked the plaintiff's lawyer to proceed. Mr Jeff Cliff approached the bench and said, “I would like to call Miss Sloane Ball to the stand.”

Miss Ball sat on the witness stand; she solemnly promised that she would speak nothing but the truth.

Mr Cliff smiled at Sloane and said, “Miss Ball, tell the court about your friendship with Miss Cage.” Sloane told the court that Miss Cage and she were like sisters. They have become friends since kindergarten.

Then Mr Cliff asked, “Could you please tell us about the incident that happened at the Shalom Shopping Mall?”

Tears streamed down Sloane’s beautiful face and said, “Paula asked me to accompany her to meet Miss Miller. We waited for her on the third floor outside the cake shop.

While we were waiting, I excused myself and went to the restroom. When I came back, I saw Miss Miller pushing Paula. Miss Miller was screaming at Paula. I was so shocked when I saw her falling from the third floor to the second floor.

I became so scared my mind went blank. I decided to hide because I didn’t know if Miss Miller would kill me too. I am having nightmares about that fateful day, and I am currently taking sleeping pills to help myself to sleep.”

Sloane sobbed and choked. Mr Cliff gave her a bottle of mineral water to drink. Sloane took the water with trembling hands and drank half of the water. She thanked Mr Cliff, and then she wiped her tears with her hands.

Mr Cliff handed the tissue to her. Sloane wiped her face, then she looked at Mr Cliff and said, “We can continue.”

 Mr Cliff looked at her and asked, “Why didn’t you call an ambulance when you saw your best friend fall to the second floor?”

Sloane wiped her tears and replied, “Everything happened so quickly and my mind went blank. I was paralyzed by fear.” Then Mr Cliff looked at Judge Harris and said, “I have no further question, Your Honour.”

Mr Blaze stood up and said, “Miss Ball, you mentioned that Miss Cage was like a sister to you. However, you didn’t call the ambulance or the police. Miss Ball, are you jealous of Miss Cage?”

Sloane was taken aback by the question and replied, “No. Why would I be jealous of Paula?” Mr Blaze replied, “Maybe because when she was overseas Mr Ferguson didn’t approach you? Do you have a crush on Mr Ferguson?”

Sloane didn’t know how to answer the question because she was secretly in love with Mr Ferguson. She looked at Mr Cliff with pleading eyes.

Mr Cliff looked at Judge Harris and said, “Mr Blaze is badgering the witness, Your Honour.” Judge Harris replied, “Overruled. Miss Ball, please answer the question.”

Miss Ball looked at Mr Blaze and replied, “I don’t have feelings for Mr Ferguson. I feel insulted because Mr Ferguson is like a brother to me.”

Mr Blaze then looked at Sloane for a long time and asked, “After your best friend was taken by ambulance, why didn’t you call the Cage family or Mr Ferguson?”

Sloane’s mind went blank. She didn’t know how to respond. Mr Blaze asked, “Do you want me to repeat the question, Miss Ball?”

Sloane shook her head and replied, “I was paralyzed by fear and I couldn’t think straight. However, I visited the Cage family and told them everything that had happened.”

Mr Blaze shook his head and said, “I put it to you that you pushed Miss Cage and destroyed the surveillance camera because you had a crush on Mr Ferguson.

You wanted to kill two birds with one stone when you framed Mrs Ferguson. Your Honour, I have no further questions.”

Mr Cliff was fuming with anger and said, “May I redirect, Your Honour.” Judge Harris nodded his head and replied, "You may." Then Mr Cliff approached Sloane and asked, “Do you have a crush on Mr Ferguson, Miss Ball?”

Sloane shook her head and replied, “No. I have never coveted something that does not belong to me. In my eyes, Mr Ferguson is my sister’s fiancé and I have never flirted with him even once.”

Mr Cliff thanked her, and then he sat down. Then Sloane was escorted to her seat. Judge Harris looked at Mr Cliff and asked, “Do you have other witnesses, Mr Cliff?”

Mr Cliff nodded his head and replied, “I would like to call Dr Bond to the stand, Your Honour.”

Dr Bond sat at the witness stand. After he took an oath, Mr Cliff approached him smiling and said, “Thank you, Dr Bond, for taking your time to testify in this courtroom. Please tell the court about your relationship with Miss Paula Cage.”

Dr Bond replied, “Miss Cage is my patient. I have been taking care of her for the past two weeks. She is seriously injured and I am not sure if she will ever wake up. It will depend on her willpower.

The Cage family should thank Mrs Ferguson for her quick thinking. If it was not for her, Miss Cage would have died.”

Mr Cliff looked at Dr Bond and said, “We have heard testimony from Miss Ball indicating that she saw Miss Miller pushing Miss Cage. In your own opinion, don’t you think Miss Miller saved Miss Cage out of guilt?”

Dr Bond shook his head and replied, “I saw Mrs Ferguson at the hospital on that day with the Cage family.

Even though I cannot search a human heart, my gut feeling tells me that Mrs Ferguson was framed. I don’t think she is responsible for Miss Cage’s incident. She is a doctor, not a murderer.”

Mr Cliff was fuming with anger, but he managed to control his emotions. He smiled and said, “Your Honour, I have no further questions for this witness.”

Judge Harris looked at Mr Blaze and said, “Your witness.” Mr Blaze smiled at Dr Bond and said, “I have no questions, Your Honour.”