One Hundred and Thirty Four

CHAPTER 134

Nicholas and Paul were back at the BBQ party held behind Brittany's house. Everyone enjoyed the party. The food served by Susan was delicious and complete. They could choose from a variety of delicious foods on the table.

Paul joined in and grabbed a can of soda from the table, they were avoiding alcohol and such until Brittany's accident case went to trial. Paul raised the soda in the air and said, "Let's toast to my daughter's freedom! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone raised the soda can in the air. Brittany's welcome party was warm and fun. But not for long, because Nicholas, Alicia and Noel had to leave to go back to work to prepare for Brittany's trial.

Kevin would bring the best lawyers to fight Brittany in court, he was serious about making Brittany the real culprit of their accident. And Nicholas, couldn't be that casual.

They got back into the car, but Noel drove his own car.

"We're going to the forensic lab to examine the evidence," Nicholas said, but Alicia held the man's hand next to her and made Nicholas look at her with a curious expression, "What's wrong, Alicia?"

"I have to go back. I have to take care of my college documents."

Nicholas' eyes lit up brightly, he looked enthusiastic. "Are you going to continue your studies?"

But Alicia looked doubtful. She lowered her head and mumbled for a long time, before finally explaining everything she was going through. "I originally wanted to continue my education. But since my parents died... I'm bound to have an economic crisis, Nic. I'll have to find a job soon."

Nicholas' enthusiastic face turned grim.

Nicholas sighed, feeling a pang of empathy for Alicia. Her struggles were very similar to his own in the past. He took her hand gently, offering reassurance. "We will find a way out, Alicia. You are not alone in this." Alicia nodded in agreement. "Can you postpone it, and accompany me to the forensic lab now?"

"I think I can do that."

As they headed to the forensic lab, tension hung in the air. Noel drove with determination, while Nicholas thought about his next move. The evidence had to support Brittany, and time was of the essence.

The lab was a sterile maze of machines and technicians in white coats. They met Dr. Reynolds, the forensic expert they had requested. He led them to a room full of charts and photographs spread out on a table. Noel's keen eyes were immediately drawn to the images.

"This skid mark pattern..." Noel's voice trailed off, her mind racing.

Dr. Reynolds nodded. "It's not consistent with the reported road conditions. The trajectory and impact are not parallel."

Nicholas leaned in, his heart pounding. "Does this prove Brittany's innocence?"

Hearing the question, Dr. Reynolds quickly turned around and took another folder from the drawer. He looked at Nicholas and Noel in turn, then handed the folder to him. "That's just the analysis of the car tires they used during the accident. And this... the fabric you reported, it's a hundred percent match to Kevin's DNA. Those are his clothes."

Nicholas sighed in satisfaction. "I knew it. Kevin is indeed a criminal who hides behind his sweet words. We can definitely catch him in this accident."

With Kevin's involvement confirmed, Noel and Nicholas dug deeper into the case. They find themselves in a whirlwind of discoveries and twists that will challenge their perceptions.

"We have evidence, eyewitnesses and Brittany's statement. Everything is secure. We're ready for trial," said Noel, to which Nicholas nodded in agreement. They both smiled with satisfaction that they had solved the case and were able to prepare for trial in record time.

***

The day of the trial came. Seen in the courtroom are Brittany and Kevin who are now reporting each other because of the accident that occurred.

Kevin was not alone, he was facing this accident case with his legal team. He said he had paid the best lawyers to win him the trial, and to make Brittany look guilty.

And so did Brittany.

The whole trial went well. The evidence that Nicholas, Noel and Alicia had gathered was brought together to counter Kevin's rash moves. The eyewitness, Mrs. Jenskin, was also present and revealed everything she saw the night of the accident.

"That's right, Your Honor. From my house, I could see that the one driving the car that night... was a man, and that man...," Mrs. Jenskin's spectacles-wearing eyes moved to Kevin on the other side. "Sit there, Your Honor."

Kevin secretly sighed angrily. He bowed his head to cover his regret. He had missed an eyewitness, an important point in the trial.

The expressions of Hailey and Louis, who were sitting at the back, looked panicked. They both held hands as the trial drew to a close. The judge was assessing all the evidence presented, and all the witness statements were being taken into consideration.

Everyone was waiting anxiously, including Brittany who still had a plaster on her forehead to cover her scars from the accident. Brittany's brown eyes tried to fight Kevin on the other side. The look of longing love had now turned into a look of vengeful hatred.

Brittany would never forgive Kevin's cowardice. He caused the accident, then made Brittany the scapegoat just to get away with it. Kevin had to pay the price as soon as possible. And it is through this trial that Nicholas will prove his skills in solving a serious case.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The judge's gavel banged three times, and everyone was now paying attention. The man in the judge's robe then reread all the charges from the prosecution, as well as the considerations they had before them, before finally declaring that Brittany was innocent and Kevin had to take responsibility for the accident he had caused. Kevin would pay a fine and get a few months' probation in jail.

Kevin gave Brittany a fierce look from his chair, but Brittany didn't look frightened at all.