nder rain.
Next came the toxicologist, presenting charts and slides.
“The substance found in the syringe is called tetrodotoxin. In low doses, it mimics death. It slows the heartbeat, freezes the muscles, masks breathing. Without advanced equipment, one could easily mistake the victim for a corpse. It was intentional. This was no accident.”
The room fell silent. The weight of the evidence pressed on everyone.
Finally, the judge turned to Williams.
“Mr. Anderson, you have heard the charges, the testimony, and the scientific proof. Do you have anything to say before this court passes judgment?”
Williams rose slowly, his face twisted—half fury, half despair. His voice cracked as he spoke.
“Yes, I have something to say. I loved Judith once, but she loved her companies more than me. Everything was always about her empire, her billions, her power. What was I? A shadow in her house. A husband in name only. I was supposed to share in her glory, yet she treated me like a servant.”
Judith flinched as though struck. The audience murmured, stunned.
Williams’ voice grew louder, his fists shaking.
“So yes, I wanted it all. I wanted what was mine. If she had to die for me to live as a man, then so be it.”
Chaos erupted. Shouts, gasps, and cries of outrage filled the court. The judge banged her gavel furiously.
“Order! Order!”
Judith’s tears spilled freely now. She stood, trembling but strong, her voice rising above the noise.
“You fool. Love is not stolen. Respect is not forced. You had everything—my trust, my home, my life. But your greed drowned you. You tried to kill me, and now you have destroyed yourself.”
Williams’ eyes burned with madness.
“I regret nothing!” he roared, his voice echoing.
Guards surged forward as he tried to leap across the dock. They held him down, shackles clinking as he screamed curses.
Dr. David broke into sobs, collapsing onto the floor of the dock.
“Forgive me, my Lord. Forgive me, Judith. I betrayed everything I swore to be. I deserve death.”
The judge’s gavel thundered once more. The hall fell into tense silence. Her voice was firm, unshaken.
“This court has heard enough. Williams Anderson, you are guilty of attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, and greed of the highest order. You are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor. May your chains remind you of the life you tried to bury.”
Williams screamed as the guards dragged him away, his voice echoing.
“It should have been mine! All mine!”
The judge turned to Dr. David.
“And you, Dr. David Afory, entrusted with life yet dealing in death—your betrayal of your oath is unforgivable. This court sentences you to life imprisonment as well. You will never again hold the life of another in your hands.”
Dr. David collapsed into his chair, too broken to resist as the police carried him out.
The gavel struck a final time.
“Court dismissed.”
The hall erupted—some clapping, others weeping, all buzzing with the weight of history. Reporters rushed out to spread the verdict. Judith, exhausted, sank into her seat. Her body trembled with relief and pain.
“It’s over,” she whispered.
But beside her, Benjamin gently shook his head.
“No, madam. It is only the beginning. You have your life again now. What will you do with it?”
She turned to him, her eyes soft, her lips trembling with gratitude.
“I wouldn’t be here without you. You have no home, no rest—yet you gave me both. Benjamin, you saved me.”
Benjamin looked away, his voice quiet.
