Sebastian's Obsession

Chapter 7 - The Verdict

The room fell silent. After all the gathered evidence was presented, the judge immediately scanned the courtroom. I clutched my hand tightly waiting for her further words.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I will now recite to you the legislation that you must follow in order to decide this case. To prove the crime charged against the defendant, the prosecution must prove two things to you: first, that the defendant obtained the company belonging to someone else; second, that the owner did not give the defendant permission to operate in her company; if each of you believes that the prosecution proved all two of these things beyond a reasonable doubt, you should find the defendant guilty. However, if you feel the prosecution failed to establish any of these elements beyond a reasonable doubt, you must find the defendant not guilty," the judge instructed, a tone calling for strictness and seriousness.

My hands tremble on the top of my thighs. This is the final trial, and today is the day when the jury will render a decision. The case had totally changed from bench trial to jury trial as per suggestion by Donato. And yet again, I am still at a disadvantage. Unconsciously, my gaze was drawn to Sebastian, who, to my surprise, was already staring at me. The minute my gaze fell on him, a sneer instantly appeared on his arrogant face. In response, I rolled my eyes and shifted my gaze to the judge.

Donato had argued his final point in front of the jury, which made my heart race faster and wilder. Despite the fact that I am somehow, though not entirely, aware of the outcome, I still feel nervous.

If ever Sebastian enters a not-guilty plea, which I'm sure he will, Aunt will willingly surrender to the authorities. That's what we talked about before returning to Canais. It's the price she had to pay for betraying me. That choice did not come from me, nor did I push her to make it; it was taken out of her own free will.

After Donato and Sebastian's attorney make their final arguments. The judge spoke again, and this time my entire body froze. "Will the jury foreperson kindly stand? Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?" asks the judge.

Someone from behind had risen to their feet. "Yes, your honor," said the guy. He then delivered some bond paper to the clerk, who passed it to the judge before returning it to the clerk.

As the clerk read the decision, a disappointed grin surfaced on my face.

"The defendant is found not guilty by the jury."

"The jury is thanked and excused. Court is adjourned," the judge announced for the last time.

I've already accepted this beforehand, but why am I disappointed and hurt? Aunt and Donato rushed to my side to console me. But their comforts made me even sadder. Aunt, the person who brought me this situation, soothing me is one of the most hypocritical things I've ever seen. But I'm too hurt to make a big deal out of it.

"I'll just wire the payment to your bank account, Dons," I said tiredly as I walked out of the courtroom, leaving him and my Aunt inside.

I honestly wish Isabelle was already here. Her stay in France, however, has been extended due to various responsibilities in the fashion industry with which I am unfamiliar. And I can't make her go when she hasn't finished her duties; it would be so selfish of me. For once, I wanted to become intoxicated in order to forget what had transpired and escape the painful reality. I was about to open my car door when someone grabbed my hand, preventing me from entering.

I shook my head, irritably. And when I found out who it was, my anger grew even more. "What now?" I exclaimed, releasing my hand from his grip. Sebastian merely gave me an amused look, as if he enjoyed irritating me.

He had the audacity to approach me, knowing how much I despised him. Sebastian is indeed undeniably shameless.

"Why are you so furious with me, Winter?" he said solemnly.

I rolled my eyes at his idiotic inquiry. "You're intelligent, right? You should have realized that by now."

I'm not sure if he's being stupid or acting innocent. Why would I not be enraged if he had just stolen my company? He threw my things in the trashcan. And he even denied me access to enter my company.

"Can I go now? People are already watching, and I'm scared I'll be on the news again," I said after a few seconds of Sebastian being silent while staring at me. I can't dispute that this man is quite attractive. His face is that of a freaking model, and his physique is that of Adonis. However, his demeanor contradicts his physical characteristics. He had got an angelic face with a devilish personality. Not appealing at all.

"Don't you think it's a benefit for you to be in the news with me?" he asked as I was about to get into the car.

"Certainly not, Sebastian."

How could that be my gain when everyone despised me? Oh, sure, I'm gaining haters. My once-peaceful existence has been flipped completely upside down. Let's just say people have recognized me more today but, unluckily, it's in a negative light. They're calling me a gold digger, an attention seeker, and a variety of other derogatory terms because someone saw me with Sebastian. And when they found out I had filed a complaint against their beloved Sebastian, I gained a lot more foes. Isn't it the cutest thing ever? It was so cute that I wanted to murder Sebastian. At least, if ever I ended myself up in jail, I have already served my mission. Maybe the only reason I'm alive now is to kill this motherfucker.

"Will you let me go now, or do you want me to grab your worthless eyeballs, cut your fingers, and even stitch your mouth shut so you can't talk anymore?" I demanded.

Sebastian's mouth hung wide, staring at me in awe.

"Chill, I never imagined an angel would dare to use such frightening words," he replies, his expression amused.

"Now that you know, back off."

But, he didn't even budge from it. Instead, he held the window frame of my car.

"Anyway, my previous offer to you is still open, and if you change your mind, do not hesitate to call or see me at L Jewelry," Sebastian said right after I entered the driver's seat.

See him at L Jewelry? He's really mocking me. I can't even enter that place anymore, and he's acting as if I still can. Sebastian is quite vexing. I heaved a deep sigh, releasing the heaviness in my chest,

Is it okay if I hire a hitman and assassinate Sebastian? That, however, would be a sin too. I know rules and laws are destined to be broken, but is it worth it? To murder someone because they have harmed you? That's a poor deed reserved for those with a dark heart. And I'm not like that at all. Yes, I am a sinner, but I do not commit murder. Not now or ever.

I sardonically laugh after realizing that my thoughts are becoming odd and strange already. I don't know if it's the result of stress whatsoever.

Problems, I suppose, may drive people nuts, right? Because I'm already experiencing signs of insanity. I've been talking and battling for myself lately as if I'm 2 people in one body. Tending to defend my own values, evaluating the logic. And yet I still made a terrible judgment.

Perhaps I am solely made to measure buildings and structures and not sales and diamonds. After all, I am really an engineer by profession and just a CEO by choice. I don't know if losing the company is a redirection by God or a punishment. Nevertheless, what's done is done already.

"Miss Liondale, you're here," Cana gasped as I walked into her house unnoticed.

I want to go clubbing right now, but it would be very lonely going there alone, and Cana happened to flash into my mind. She will be a good companion. Because aside from my housekeeper, she is the only person I can trust. Given that she had been my secretary for three years and we had shared many challenges already. Cana somehow is like my sister, though not by blood but by bond.

"I'm sorry for showing up without warning," I said as I sat down on the couch. Cana shook her head dismissively, disregarding my apologies.

"It's all right, Miss Liondale; I heard about the verdict, and I know you're upset right now."

I offered her a weak smile, knowing she was completely right: I'm not okay, and I'm not sure when I'll be okay again.

"How's your new job?" I said, shifting the subject. I want to avoid talking and thinking about it as much as possible and just forget it ever occurred.

"My boss is a complete lioness," Cana paused. "As if she was conceived in anger," she added, rolling her eyes.

All previous workers that worked for L Jewelry for years have been fired. I told Sebastian to let Cana stay at the company, but the devil dismissed my idea. He did not even leave a single employee to work there. He's that heartless, and I don't know why people, primarily women, still like him. Weird.

I cleared my throat before expressing my plan. "Are you available today? Can we unwind? You know...club."

I'm not a party person, nor do I go clubbing. I'm not even good at drinking liquor, but maybe that's what I need right now. Cana furrowed her brows in surprise as she knew exactly that I hated crowded places. And now I'm inviting her to the bar, where it was chaotic and crowded.

"Are you sure?" she asked, worry and disbelief mixed perfectly in her face.

I held my chin and met her curious eyes. "Yes," I said emphatically.

I wanted to see how I could get drunk, wild, and insane without thinking about my problems or caring about the rest of the world. For the past six years, I've been assessing my options and attempting to be better. I had forgotten what it was like to have fun in life. To be normal. To weigh lighter than the burden on my shoulder. To care less about what tomorrow brings. To not worry about reports, sales, anything whatsoever. To just swing on time and go along in this stream called life. Because my life doesn't end here. It was just the company that I lost...not me—entirely.