Chapter 3: The Man Who Objected
804 Words
The courtroom remained frozen.
All eyes were on him.
Sebastian Cole.
The name alone seemed to carry weight. Even the way he stood, calm, unshaken, felt out of place in the tense, chaotic room.
Regal stared at him, her heartbeat quickening.
Defense attorney?
Her defense attorney?
Her mind struggled to catch up.
Her actual lawyer looked just as confused.
“Objection?” the judge repeated, brows slightly furrowed. “On what grounds, Mr. Cole?”
Sebastian stepped forward, his polished shoes making quiet, deliberate contact with the floor.
“The witness’s testimony lacks consistency and is clearly influenced,” he said smoothly.
A ripple of murmurs spread across the courtroom.
Miss Kelly stiffened.
“I—I’m telling the truth,” she stammered.
Sebastian’s gaze shifted to her.
Sharp. Unforgiving.
“Then you won’t mind if I ask a few questions.”
The judge studied him for a moment before nodding.
“Proceed.”
Regal’s fingers curled slightly against her lap as she watched him.
There was something about him.
Something controlled.
Dangerous.
But for the first time since this nightmare began, she felt… safe.
Sebastian approached the witness stand, his expression unreadable.
“Miss Kelly,” he began calmly, “how long have you worked at the restaurant?”
“Two years,” she replied.
“And on the night of the incident, where exactly were you positioned?”
“I was… serving tables.”
“That wasn’t my question,” Sebastian said, his tone still polite—but firmer now. “Where were you standing when you allegedly saw my client arguing with the victim?”
Miss Kelly hesitated.
“I—I was near their table.”
“Near,” Sebastian repeated. “Close enough to hear their conversation clearly?”
“Yes.”
Sebastian tilted his head slightly.
“Interesting.”
He took a step closer.
“Then perhaps you can tell the court exactly what was said.”
Silence.
Miss Kelly’s lips parted, but no words came out.
The tension in the room thickened.
“I… I don’t remember the exact words,” she finally said.
A faint, almost invisible smile touched Sebastian’s lips.
“Yet you remember her tone. Her supposed anger. Even her actions.”
Miss Kelly’s hands trembled.
Regal leaned forward slightly, her eyes locked on the scene.
He’s catching her…
Sebastian continued.
“You also stated that my client pushed the victim.”
“Yes,” Miss Kelly said quickly, almost too quickly.
“Which hand did she use?”
The question hit like a slap.
Miss Kelly froze.
“I—what?”
“Left or right?” Sebastian repeated.
“I… I didn’t notice.”
“You didn’t notice,” he echoed softly. “Despite claiming you had a clear view?”
The courtroom began to stir again.
Miss Kelly’s breathing became uneven.
Sebastian’s voice dropped slightly, quieter now—but far more intimidating.
“Or perhaps,” he said, “you’re not telling the truth at all.”
“I am!” she snapped suddenly.
But her voice cracked.
And that was enough.
Sebastian stepped back slightly, then spoke clearly, “Your Honor, the witness is unreliable. Her testimony is inconsistent and lacks credible detail.”
The judge nodded slowly, clearly considering his words.
Regal felt something rise in her chest.
Hope.
Real hope.
For the first time, someone was actually fighting for her.
Sebastian turned slightly, and for a brief moment—his eyes met hers.
It was quick.
But it sent a strange feeling through her.
Not warmth.
Not comfort.
Something deeper.
Like he was seeing more than everyone else.
Like he already knew something.
He looked away just as quickly.
“Mr. Cole,” the judge said, “are you officially representing the defendant?”
A pause.
The entire courtroom seemed to hold its breath.
Sebastian adjusted his cuff slightly before responding.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
Regal’s heart skipped.
“Yes.”
Her useless lawyer looked like he had just been dismissed without being told directly.
“Very well,” the judge said. “You may proceed as lead counsel.”
Lead counsel.
Regal exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a little.
This was real.
She wasn’t alone anymore.
But something still bothered her.
Why would someone like Sebastian Cole—a man who clearly didn’t belong in cases like this step in for her?
Out of nowhere?
It didn’t make sense.
And then, she remembered.
Miss Kelly’s eyes.
The way she had looked at someone in the courtroom.
Regal’s gaze slowly drifted across the room again.
Someone else was involved.
Someone powerful enough to scare a witness into lying.
And now, that same someone was watching.
Waiting.
The realization sent a chill down her spine.
This wasn’t just a murder case.
It was something bigger.
Much bigger.
- Writer
