“I want to report a case of fraud, your lordship,” he announced with a blank expression.Both Sheila and Frank froze where they were seated, their gazes moving to meet each other and then back at Keith. Frank gripped the arm of the chair so tightly that his fingers would have dug in if it was not because the chair was made of wood Sheila's eyes were as large as saucers one would be worried about it falling out of their sockets. Her body was rigid and her heart was pounding so harshly against her chest. This was the reason Keith was warning them to back out. Why had he been so keen on not going into the courthouse? She suspected at the beginning it was strange but she did think it was because he didn't want all the stress and drama but she could never have guessed it was because he wanted to turn the tables around on them once again. Oh heavens, they were in big trouble this time, Sheila was very sure of that.Mr. Hockings’ breath caught, Thompson's words rang over and over in his head
“Because the houses were not yours to begin with,” someone amongst the crowd replied to Frank with a glare. Mr. Hockings’ shoulders stiffened at the sound of the familiar voice, and even if he was afraid to look back and confirm that it was the person he did so anyway, and to his horror the person was who he thought it was, all the remaining color on his wrinkled old face flushed away and replaced with a horror-struck look. The courthouse erupted in loud whispers everybody curious about who the new arrival was.The judge frowned and hit his gravel against his desk, “Order, I will not tolerate nuisance in my court. It's either you cooperate or you will force me to dismiss this case,” he threatened.Frank's jaw clenched, in the depth of his heart he wished the judge would get pissed and dismiss the case. It was obvious from the look that graced Mr. Hockings’ face, it was obvious that the case was going to end up being In favor of Keith Thompson and he didn't want to have to witness tha
Mr. Hockings’ jaw clenched tightly together, as he tried to control his temper and glare at the stupid judge before him. He wanted to get out of this hellhole called a courthouse and get his hand on the stupid Mark Thomas who was ruining everything for him with his stupid big mouth. He forcefully took his gaze off the judge and met the gaze of his lawyer, Mr. Roger who was already staring at him with a look filled with questions and confusion, and a pointed look that said he was in trouble with the man later. Mr. Hockings knew why his lawyer was giving him such a stare like that. Mr. Roger had talked to him when he had asked him to take up the case, and his lawyer had told him to tell him everything, both the truth and the lies, everything that could change the fate of the hearing but from the look of surprise on Mr. Roger's face one could tell Mr. Hockings hadn't obeyed the instruction.The judge turned his attention to Mark, “Continue Mark,” he ordered.Mark nodded eagerly, “As I wa
The judge nodded as he scanned through the papers displayed in front of him while everyone in the court watched curiosity about what the judge's decision would be with the new change of events. But unlike the rest of the people, Mr. Hockings was currently in a corner at the end of the court with Sheila, Frank, and the lawyer Mr. Roger, with all their attention on Sheila's pacing father. They had taken an excuse for a private decision while Mark had been presenting his documents.“This is bad, really bad,” Frank moaned under his breath running his fingers through his hair. It was true that he didn't know who Mark was but he was not oblivious of what he had accused Mr. Hockings of. He was involved, so very much involved it had been his men who had been the cause of the man that had threatened Mr. Hockings. If this matter was to be investigated further then they would certainly be able to link it to him and he would be doomed, going downhill with the Hockings.Sheila glared at him, “Coul
Mr. Hockings growled, “Just ungrateful idiots. I did everything for everyone's good and this is how they had to repay me.”Sheila raised her head and her gaze met with Frank, who was also looking at her with a similar look of mockery at the words her father had just uttered. Sheila lowered her head again when she felt a smile begin to lift at the corner of her lips to avoid another directed anger towards her again. Her father was so good at acting like a Marty when he was nothing but a sneaky and coy person underneath, but no one was ready to tell him that to his face so they all just watched and twitched noses at him behind his back.Although, Sheila's father never really involved her much in anything that had to with his business, always claiming it had nothing to do with her, and every time she would complain about her father's claims it was not the same today, because today Sheila was not complaining, she was over joyous, in fact beyond joyous. Yes, she had been well aware of her
Keith tapped his feet impatiently against the ground with his fingers clasped together and placed beneath his chin to support his head. What was taking Mr. Hockings and his lawyers so long and even the judge, his eyes darted quickly to the judge on his high seat still going through the papers that Mark had presented him earlier which gave Mr. Hockings to be able to leave and discuss whatever with his lawyer. What annoyed him the most was how long the judge was taking to judge something so out in the open and obvious. The Hockings were guilty, what else was there to contemplate?Keith stiffened in surprise when he felt a hand on his back, he quickly tore his gaze off the judge and over his shoulder. He relaxed a bit when he found out it was Camila who he had honestly forgotten was seated beside him. Camila's eyes were not as bright as they usually were, and he suspected it had something to do with the lines of stress that wore under her eyes and creased her forehead. She should be at h
Mr. Hockings stepped out of the corner he and the people who had gone along with him had been cooped up moments earlier before the interruption of the cop. The courthouse was quiet, too quiet that if a pin were to drop at the moment it would be loud enough for everyone to know. He reached for his tie, tugging it down before loosening another button on his shirt, suddenly feeling too hot. His eyes darted quickly to the exit of the courthouse and for a second he thought of running away, so far away and never looking back crossed his mind but he caught a glimpse of the police officer stalking closely behind him like he could hear his thoughts. Mr. Hockings took his gaze off the annoying officer and back to the courthouse, taking in the place like it were his first time seeing it. Although, his face was stern and harsh looking like it would always look like most of the time, underneath Mr. Hockings was a nervous wreck, with sweaty palms and a pounding heart against his chest, one would e
Mr. Roger cleared his throat, suddenly feeling choked, he reached down for his suit buttons and snapped them open. “Your honor_,” Mr. Roger began but trailed off, not entirely sure what he should say anymore. He did not want to annoy the judge and look bad before him but he also did not want to look like he was going against the Hockings that would only cause him nothing but pain and suffering_ but the final line would be death. All it took was one look from the judge to make him snap his mouth shut.“After all the evidence presented before me by Mark Thomas and the words of the accused, it is obvious that Mr. Hockings was not only guilty for the illegal acquisition of properties but also responsible for fraud.” The judge stated, moving to pick up the gravel placed on his desk. “All we need now is for Mark Thomas to press charges alongside the other victims of Mr. Hockings’ unfair treatment, then a full investigation could be carried out to shed more light on the case.”Mark Thomas n