Chapter 23 I Wish You Happiness

• The audience inhaled sharply, a collective gasp echoing through the courtroom. The air was thick with tension as if everyone were holding their breath, waiting for the next moment to unfold.
• Even seasoned criminals rarely admit to their crimes so openly, and the room was rife with disbelief. Ben’s eyes widened in shock, his mouth hanging open as he struggled to process what he had just heard.
• Why would she say that!
• The judge looked at her, bewildered. "Defendant, you are on trial. Remember that each of your words weighs heavily."
• Jean met the judge’s eyes, her expression a mask of cold resolve. Gigi had maneuvered her into this position, and maybe, just maybe, if she admitted to this crime, Edgar would relent and let her family go.
• "Your Honor, I'm speaking the truth. This is what I genuinely think. I despise Gigi Reece. I hope she dies!"
• “Jean! Are you out of your mind?” Ben’s voice cracked, filled with a raw blend of frustration and disbelief. He surged forward, his face flushed with anger, but was quickly restrained by the courtroom’s security.
• The judge hammered his gavel. "Order!"
• The staff in charge of discipline led Ben out of the courtroom.
• Silence fell over the room.
• The judge’s gaze remained fixed on Jean, who stood defiantly. “Defendant, are you sure that you had the intention of murder at the time of the event?”
• Mr. Scott, Jean’s lawyer, rose anxiously, trying to defend her. “Your Honor, please—”
• "Let the defendant speak," the judge interjected.
• Jean glanced toward Gigi.As expected, Gigi was exhilarated, her expression a mixture of triumph and satisfaction.
• Does she believe she can take me down now?
• On the other hand, Edgar frowned as if he worried about her.
• What a joke.
• “Yes, I admit it. I wanted to kill her.” Jean’s voice was steady, her confession delivered with an unshakable certainty. The lawyer beside her wiped sweat from his brow, his face a portrait of regret and dismay. The courtroom’s atmosphere grew even more somber as Jean’s admission sank in.
• As the trial adjourned, Jean's hands were cuffed.
• She stopped in her tracks when she passed by the couple.
• Her straight back gave off a sense of arrogance.
• She smiled as her eyes fell on the carnelian pendant hanging off both of their necks.
• "I wish the two of you happiness to the end of time."
• She continued toward the door, her figure gradually fading from view. Edgar’s eyes followed her every step, his heart weighed down by an indescribable heaviness. She… admitted to it.
• Noticing Edgar staring at the door, Gigi clasped his hand and pouted. "Edgar, what are you looking at? Jean is evil. I never thought that she wanted to kill me from the start! Fortunately, you acted quickly, Edgar…"
• Edgar listened to her words with growing disgust. He had seen the security footage. The truth was far more complex than Gigi’s self-serving narrative.
• Pulling his hand away from Gigi’s grasp, Edgar stood abruptly, his movements sharp and decisive. “Let’s go home.”
• He turned on his heel, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. The trial was over, but the repercussions were just beginning. Edgar's thoughts raced as he left the courthouse, his heart heavy with a mixture of guilt, regret, and a profound sense of loss.