Chapter 166: Trial (Part 2)

[Chapter 166: Trial (Part 2)]

In most cases, witnesses and defendants could not speak directly to each other. However, the judge had the authority to allow such dialogue when necessary. With that, Eastbrook was called to the stand again.

Ian Carr stood at the defendant's table, looking at the young African American man and smiled, "Mr. Eastbrook, I heard your accusations just now. With the judge's permission, I'm going to ask you a few questions. If you feel uncomfortable, I can have my defense attorney ask instead."

Eastbrook shook his head lightly, "Go ahead."

Ian nodded, "Who arranged for you to come here?"

The prosecuting attorney shouted, "Objection! The defense is leading the witness!"

The judge tapped the gavel, "Objection sustained. Defendant, you cannot ask that."

Ian shrugged, "Alright, let me put it this way. Mr. Eastbrook, you mentioned that when you entered the room, you saw five girls unbound, but Officer Katherine was the only one who remained bound. Assuming your statements are truthful, why is that? Why would I kill so many people and save those girls yet leave Officer Katherine bound?"

Eastbrook shrugged, "How would I know? Maybe you just didn't like her."

"So I promote a police officer I don't like as a hero in the aftermath of the incident?" Ian retorted.

Eastbrook was left speechless. Laughter erupted from the gallery. It was indeed absurd.

Eastbrook called out, "I remember now, you seemed to have said something about giving her a choice..."

...

He didn't finish his sentence as a sudden wave of fear washed over him as he looked at Ian. In that moment, he felt the man's eyes glinting with a strange light, and suddenly he found himself in a desolate landscape.

All around him were corpses. Ian Carr stood in front of him, pointing a gun directly at him.

Eastbrook was horrified and shouted, "No!"

Ian's gun was trained on Eastbrook, "Why are you framing me?"

"Why are you framing me?"

"Why are you framing me?"

"Why are you framing me?"

The voice echoed madly in his ears.

The young man shouted back, "I didn't!"

In the next moment, intense pain erupted in his body. He could no longer bear it and emitted a pathetic howl. But in this empty world, his cries received no response.

Then he saw himself nailed to a cross. Pain exploded from every limb of his body.

Before him, Ian Carr loomed like a devil, wielding a whip as he lashed out at him mercilessly.

"No! Help me!" he shrieked.

"Why are you framing me?" Ian's voice whispered ominously like a devil's.

Eastbrook could no longer withstand the torment, "They paid me, a hundred thousand!"

"Who?"

"A man named Courtman, I don't know his exact identity!"

"For a hundred thousand, you chose this path? You really are cheap!"

"I know I was wrong!" Eastbrook cried out.

The torturous illusions rained down on him incessantly, this poor guy suffering through day and night of torment.

Ian Carr continued to torment him like a demon, inflicting immense pain upon him. His mental state fully shattered at that moment as he wailed, "Let me go, I'll say whatever you want me to say! I lied, someone paid me to frame Ian Carr!"

...

This time, it was met not with an illusionary response but a roar right there in the courtroom.

When everyone heard this, they gasped in shock.

Crips was both surprised and delighted. He really did it!

Ian Carr actually managed to have this bastard testify against himself in court? How did he pull that off?

But it no longer mattered; what mattered was that Ian Carr could deliver on everything he had promised!

The prosecuting attorney was also stunned. He had considered every possibility, but never expected the crucial witness to change his testimony at this moment.

All the preparation was wasted! It meant nothing now.

Even the judge looked at Eastbrook in disbelief, "Do you understand what you're saying?"

Eastbrook held his head with despair, "A man named Courtman paid me a hundred thousand to testify that Ian Carr killed!"

Shouts erupted from the courtroom.

The defense attorney cried out, "Your Honor, did you hear what the witness just said? He admitted to perjury, and this was all a setup against my client!"

The courtroom erupted into chaos until the judge's gavel silenced it.

Those seated in the gallery stared in amazement at the unfolding scene. What had just happened? How could it be like this? What exactly did Ian Carr do to turn that kid around in court?

...

The critical witness's change of testimony rendered the hearing meaningless. Soon after, the court hearing concluded quickly. After a standard round of inquiries, the judge slammed down the gavel, "Mr. Eastbrook has falsely accused Ian Carr, and regarding your actions, we will make further determinations. This court now announces Mr. Ian Carr's acquittal."

"Yay!" Cheering erupted from Ian's supporters.

Ian coolly glanced at Eastbrook, suppressing the pain in his eyes as another wave of determination flooded over him.

...

Two bailiffs approached to escort Eastbrook out, but he walked like a ghost, defeated.

Suddenly, he lunged, grabbing a bailiff's gun.

This unexpected turn stunned everyone.

Ian rushed forward, positioning himself in front of Jessica and the other girls, shouting, "Get down!"

Like a protective hen, he shielded the girls, contrasting sharply against the panicking crowd around them.

Meanwhile, Eastbrook aimed the gun at everyone, shouting, "Don't come any closer! Nobody!"

Everyone froze in place.

Ian looked at the girls and stared down Eastbrook, "Mr. Eastbrook, do you know what you're doing? If you have any guts, come after me!"

His eyes continued to flicker with emotion.

Eastbrook looked at Ian despairingly, "I know I'm wrong... don't involve my family, okay?"

Ian's tone turned somber, "I'm not part of a gang; I don't do that stuff."

Eastbrook forced a smile, "Thank you."

In a sudden move, he aimed the gun at his jaw and pulled the trigger.

Bang! The sound of the gunshot rang out.

In a spray of blood, Eastbrook collapsed.

"You bastard!" Crips shouted angrily, rising with his cane.

The bastard had gotten off easy; he had planned to make him suffer.

He had almost sunk everyone!

...

Only Jessica and the other girls gazed at Ian with awe.

They said in unison, "You protected us again, Ian!"

They had no idea how Ian Carr managed to do it, nor did they care.

They just knew he always kept his promises and would stand up to protect them in the most dangerous moments.

That was enough!

Ian smiled at the five girls, a tear of "sympathy and compassion" rolling down his left cheek.

Then he opened his arms and pulled the girls in, "I'm sorry for bringing you into this and putting you through this again."

The girls shook their heads and smiled, "No, this is a good thing!"

Amanda and Helen had already been urged home but were called back due to the case. Now that their innocence was confirmed, it made sense for them to stay a little longer and enjoy time with Ian.

Their eyes sparkled with hope and desire as they looked at him.

And so, Ian took the girls and left the courtroom, leaving behind the chaos.

...

As they exited the courtroom, a throng of reporters surrounded them.

They were watching a live broadcast and shouted, "Mr. Carr, how did you get Eastbrook to change his testimony? Did you pay him?"

Ian replied seriously, "You can check Eastbrook's and his family's accounts to see if I gave him a single penny. Carr Media Group is dedicated to uncovering the truth; we absolutely will not yield to criminals, nor will we pay a cent to extortionists. We will never collude with criminals!"

Nearby, Crips listened, shaking his head with a smile.

You nailed it, Mr. Carr.

You aren't colluding with criminals; you just lead them!

Then he swaggered away.

After addressing the reporters, Ian left with the girls.

...

In the car, he received a call from James Perry.

James Perry laughed heartily, "You delivered a great show, Ian. You always manage to turn everything into positive news!"

Ian smiled, "Though a media mogul falsely accused and the witness flipping in court is great, it doesn't compare to a courtroom murder... Good news needs to have twists, blood, and violence, plus a hero rescuing the damsel in distress. I believe CBS will make good use of this story."

This year had seen a lot of news, but a truly original and heavy-hitting story was just this one.

As for the carjacking, while it was sensational, it just didn't have much originality.

Ian was quite satisfied, thinking that good news should be innovative -- his inspiration was still flowing.

James Perry laughed again, "Of course. Attracting users is your job; making money is ours!"

Turning a bad situation into an exclusive headline made James Perry increasingly pleased.

As for Ian, he knew he needed to make it up to the girls for the scare they faced.

To be honest, he was a bit surprised they were so devoted to him; he had prepared for someone among them to break under the pressure.

Indeed, confidence was a great thing!

They believed in him completely, and whatever he said, they believed it.

The only regret he had was... tonight would be tiring, and Lena would be jealous.

*****

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