A Lawsuit Next Door

Those words exploded through the courtroom like a thunderclap.

Every gaze snapped toward the so-called report, including mine.

Rachel held the document high in the air, her posture triumphant, as if she had already won. "This report shows that DNA highly matching the defendant’s son was detected on Ms. Daisy’s intimate clothing and relevant areas of her body.

"Mrs. Cole, the evidence is overwhelming. What do you have left to say now?"

I looked at the test report she was holding up, my expression completely calm. I never imagined Fiona would go this far to fabricate evidence.

I rose slowly to my feet, my eyes sweeping over the Harpers and their lawyer, who clearly thought victory was already secured. My voice was steady, firm, leaving no room for doubt.

"The report is fake. I don't believe it."

"Fake?" Rachel reacted as if she had just heard the biggest joke of her life. She handed copies of the report to Judge Alex Brooks and the jury. "Mrs. Cole, this report was issued by the municipal hospital and bears its official seal. It has legal validity. You say it is fake, so it is fake?"

Daisy lifted her head to look at me. The tears on her face had not even dried, yet her eyes brimmed with resentment.

"Mrs. Cole, you refuse to acknowledge my testimony. Now you refuse to acknowledge a hospital report, too. How can you be this shameless? Are you really trying to force me to my death?"

As she spoke, she began smashing her head wildly against the corner of the table. The dull thuds echoed through the courtroom.

Fiona was terrified out of her mind. She screamed and rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her daughter. "Daisy, don't do anything stupid! If anything happens to you, how am I supposed to live?"

Seeing this, Judge Brooks immediately ordered people to intervene, the gavel slamming down again and again.

"Plaintiff, control your emotions. Do not engage in extreme behavior. No matter what, the law will give you an explanation."

Only then did Daisy gradually calm down.

Fiona held her daughter tightly, her eyes fixed on me with venomous hatred. "Mrs. Cole, if your son does not plead guilty today, I will die right in front of you. Even as a ghost, I will not let you or your son go!"

The spectators erupted, echoing her fury, wishing my son could be executed on the spot.

"This makes me furious. That animal must get the death penalty. Look at what he has done to this mother and daughter!"

"The DNA matches, and they are still denying it? This family truly has no shame!"

"A mother shielding an animal like that should go to prison with him!"

The noise went on and on.

Rachel spoke again, her tone righteous and imposing, "Mrs. Cole, the law will not let any criminal escape. Your son must pay the price for assaulting my client."

Everyone waited for the verdict that was about to fall on my son—and on me.

Judge Brooks cleared his throat and turned to me for the final inquiry. "Defendant, regarding the DNA test report provided by the plaintiff and Ms. Daisy’s testimony, do you have any further objections you wish to state?"

I met Judge Brooks’ gaze and answered slowly, clearly, one word at a time, "Your Honor, my evidence is my son. I request that my son be summoned to testify in court."

The gavel struck.

"Summon the defendant’s son to appear in court."

The courtroom doors slowly opened.

Every pair of eyes locked onto the entrance. Fiona and Daisy stared without blinking, as if ready to tear the animal who had ruined Daisy apart with their bare hands.

However, the moment my son walked into the courtroom—

Everyone froze.

Because my son was, in fact, biologically an animal.