C47
At that moment, I hated Farrell next to Leandro. But the shit wasn't over yet.
"In addition, the plaintiff launched harsh insults at the defendant in his home, where his family was gathered, simply because the defendant, who was busy with construction, had forgotten their wedding anniversary."
I told him to fuck off, but saying it like that sounds like I cursed in front of the Cassius family.
That happened when I was alone with Leandro on the second floor. What Farrell claimed wasn't a lie, but rather a clever speech technique that created an illusion in the listener.
"The actions that the plaintiff claimed the defendant did some time ago, such as background checks and surveillance, were nothing more than a misunderstanding resulting from the defendant's efforts to persuade the plaintiff to improve their relationship. The defendant is in a very difficult situation due to the series of actions committed by the plaintiff, but he doesn't want the family to dissolve. The defendant still loves the plaintiff. Therefore, the defendant cannot accept the divorce no matter what happens."
The judge asked Leandro.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
Leandro, who was considerably more haggard than before, though not as much as me, opened his mouth.
"No matter how busy I was, it was my fault for leaving my wife alone."
He directed his passionate gaze at me from where he sat across from me, on the other side of the conference table.
"I'm just reflecting on that. If I had a single chance, I would try harder. Please... Please just give up the divorce."
The audience became emotional again. This is because Leandro seemed quite pathetic and sincere.
"Did this person learn to act from his younger sister?"
In reality, if Liena had prepared for the trial, she would have stood by her brother and guided him step by step. The way to win someone's heart by appearing weak.
The number of villains who started an argument without knowing why, and then Liena cried first, falling alone into the abyss, amounted to more than five fingers.
As expected, this is a formidable opponent.
When I saw that, I unconsciously felt weak. Can we endure without the butler?
"No, let's trust Terence and wait."
Oddly enough, the belief that he would safely bring back the head butler helped me keep my composure. I met Leandro's eyes without avoiding them.
"You say you love me, but do you think I'm such a bad person? If that's your love, I refuse."
"......!"
Some audience members nodded. The opinions on the other side, where the word love coexists with words criticizing me, were inevitably contradictory.
From Leandro's perspective, there was nothing he could do. I am meticulously exposing Leandro's mistakes, but if you only respond with tepidity, you are likely to end up on the defensive.
A couple with children would say they would endure it for their children, but that is not our case. However, we cannot give the Philistine the reason that the purpose is to use an abandoned mine as a dowry.
Like with other nobles, it was difficult to give a reason like "protecting the alliance between families formed through marriage." Because Wallace is so ordinary that he has absolutely nothing to gain from Cassius.
In the end, his best argument was this. Since it's my fault, I have no right to request a divorce.
But still, Leandro still loves me, so I will live with him.
Although it might be seen as a sign that he loved his wife very much, it was also a dangerous assertion that quickly became uncomfortable the moment it tipped the scales one way or the other.
I put strength into my two intertwined hands. I hoped the other side would come up with something like this, but I couldn't help but feel angry.
"What is this bastard doing?"
Apart from swearing that he was an idiot with anger, everything he said was nonsense.
I will definitely destroy everything.
After listening to the arguments of both parties one by one, the judge summarized the situation.
"The main issue in this case seems to be 'whether the defendant's actions constitute grounds for judicial divorce under Article 408 of the Civil Code.' First, if you have any evidence, present it and state it."
"I request Laura Emerson, a maid who once worked in the Cassius mansion, as a witness. She is the person who, more than anyone else, has closely followed the life of the plaintiff, the young duchess."
Farrell objected to Sharon's request for Laura as a witness.
"I have an objection! Laura Emerson was the maid who brought the plaintiff from her parents' house. There is a high possibility that the testimony will be biased."
"Laura is a maid hired by the Wallace family just a month before their wedding."
It's true. Usually, when nobles got married and one joined the other family, it was customary for the incorporated party to take their subordinates with them.
Wallace was a family that didn't want to spend money hiring a single maid for their daughter, but they tried to have various ways to establish a relationship with the Cassius family.
"In addition, Cassius was the one who paid Laura's salary for the past two years; she moved to Cassius and worked there. Would she go to the extent of lying and siding with the young duchess?"
"Laura Emerson was recently fired from the Duke's mansion. There are many reasons for harboring resentment."
"This is a case that was amicably resolved between the parties; the head maid who fired her acknowledged that the dismissal was unfair and even received an apology."
The judge made a decision while both sides were arguing intensely.
"There doesn't seem to be any major issue. I will accept the plaintiff's request as a witness."
Farrell slightly frowned, but soon regained his rigid expression.
After completing her identity verification on the witness stand, Laura stood in front of the speaker's table.
Although she looked a bit nervous, she accepted the oath calmly.
"I, Laura Emerson, swear by the goddess Miella that I will only speak the truth according to the conscience of my heart."
Sharon, who requested Laura as a witness, began to interrogate the witness.