Olivia slowly looked up as soon as the policeman took her handcuffs off right after she walked into the interrogation room. For some reason, she had become a regular. A warm, silent sigh escaped her lips right after she saw Tony sitting right there on the table across her. He slowly stood on his feet as she took a step towards him, a tiny smile covering her face all of a sudden.

That was him.

The man she never knew could be so interested in making sure she had her freedom back. Her guardian angel. She could remember the first day she met him. She almost mistook him for a reporter of some sorts, from a very popular media house. At least no one could blame her for feeling that way especially since he owned one, Sun-day news. Tony wasn't only the most influential reporter the country had ever known but his company was one of the biggest. She could remember how some inmates from jail would do anything to get a copy every friday just so they could get a detailed update on what was going on outside. She could also remember how upset she was the moment he got out that card, and was at the verge of walking away right before Kemi had stopped her.

"Do you trust me?"

She remembered the police woman say those exact words to her right after she stood up. She could remember how she glared into the woman's eyes, worry and anxiety written all over her face, she remembered asking herself why?
Why these people were so interested in her. Why this woman standing in front of her was doing all she could to give back what was taken from her. If there was one person Olivia knew she could trust in that prison it was Kemi, it was the woman standing right in front of her, holding her arm.

"Then you should trust him. He knows how to help you."

Olivia could remember the warm smile on Tony's face the moment she turned right back to face him, that was the beginning of their story.

That had been the fifth time he had paid her a visit since she told him everything that had happened. Since he promised to figure out a way to help her, He did. Olivia could see Someone else sitting on the metal bench, pretending to not notice her presence. Why was he always like that? Why did he always pretend not to see anyone?

"Woah," Tony exclaimed.  "Someone looks brighter today."

They weren't even that close yet but from what Olivia had observed about this soft hearted man in front of her, it was the fact that he had this ability not most men had, the ability to make everyone around him comfortable and happy.

"Tony." She said as she stretched her hands and placed them inside his.

"I'm really sorry I missed the court hearing the other day. I kind of had this emergency I had to take care of at the office- but I heard you nailed it and we might actually be celebrating your release soon."

"It's too early to celebrate anything."

They both turned to the table and right after, a cold silence filled the room as Rafael slowly stood from where he sat and then turned to them.

"It's not over until we don't have to come here to visit you anymore."

Tony scoffed.

"Kill joy." He whispered into Olivia's ears, loud enough for Rafael to hear him. Rafael shook his head and took a deep breath.

"What happened two days ago is only a tip of the iceberg compared to what's coming next week, we need to prepare you on how to answer some of the questions you'd be asked. We don't want you getting overly emotional again on the stand."

Overly emotional? Olivia scoffed out silently

She watched Rafael pick up a piece of paper and walk towards her with it.

"Judge Taiwo won't be preceding over your case anymore." He said looking right at her. "We were able to get her replaced."

"What?" Olivia was confused for a second "H-how I mean why?"

"Apparently Judge Taiwo isn't as incorruptible as we thought." She slowly turned back to Tony, hoping he could explain himself more. "She wasn't only an ethnic bigot, It also turns out that she also has close ties with the Silvers. Rafael noticed she was responsible for withholding specific evidence that was supposed to be used to clear your name six years ago."

"And she wasn't alone."
Olivia slowly turned to Rafael. She had never been more confused.

"The lawyer assigned to you six years ago was apparently working for Victoria too. He also helped the Silvers wit-hold evidence that could have helped you."

Olivia could feel all her strength leave her immediately. Her legs became so weak. She found herself staggering slowly so she could make it to the bench. She needed to sit if she was going to hear everything else Rafael had to say.

"Apparently, there were witnesses who were ready to testify on your behalf six years ago but somehow they were made to disappear. The only person that had an idea who those witnesses were at that moment, were your lawyer and the judge."

Tony continued.

"They must have somehow told Victoria about it."

"I don't-" Olivia took deep breaths, she was panting slightly "He told me there were no witnesses or evidence that could help my case. Even after he made me pay him twice his usual pay after the first month."
She looked at Rafael

"Why on earth- why did they -"
She was running out of air. She shut her eyes quickly, trying to breathe.

"He's on the run right now." Rafael continued "I sent some men over to his place but he wasn't there. I'm guessing he got word about Judge Taiwo's suspension and did the maths so I don't think he'd be bothering you anymore."

She exhaled.
She couldn't believe that was happening. Was it really true? Had Victoria been destroying evidence that would have really prevented her from going to jail six years ago?
Tony walked as fast as he could towards her.

"Are you okay?" He had to ask her the moment he noticed how her hands began to shake.

She looked at him slightly and nodded faintly.
She looked up to Rafael

"Thank you." She told him

He exhaled and walked back to sit on the bench across hers.

"Don't thank me yet."

He pushed his bag away from the center of the table.

"Thank me when you're out of jail."
He turned the file in front of him open.

"Oh, and thank Tony too." He raised his head a little to look at her. "He's the only reason I'm doing this."

Olivia exhaled. She didn't know how she was supposed to feel after hearing those words but she slowly drew her attention back to Tony who received it warmly. He placed his hand on her arm gently as a bright smile spread across his face.

Rafael looked at it, then at them.

"We are going to get you out of here real soon."
He told her calmly. For some reason Olivia knew. She believed him, she trusted him. Rafael turned back to his file quickly so he didn't have to see her return his smile or watch them get too emotional. It was definitely going to bore him.

Olivia took a deep breath. She was ready, she knew she was. Anything it took. She knew that now. It was time for her to fight back. It was her time.

༛༛ ༛ ༛༺༻༛ ༛ ༛༛

"Good day Mrs Silver,"

Victoria managed to keep a warm smile on her face as the woman in a blue dress in front of her gestured the chair across hers so she could seat, the huge and kind smile on her face not wavering for a second. It even grew wider the moment Victoria sat in it, adjusting her purple shawl so it sat perfectly across her breasts.

The round woman took her seat right beside her court gown and wig hanger.

"I hope you got my gifts earlier Judge Pelumi?"
Victoria's smile didn't waver as she crossed her legs, staring at the lady across her, raising her hands tall enough so her diamond ring could get the attention it deserved while she swirled it around her fingers playfully.

The lady in her mid fifties let out a tiny smile. "Please call me Pelumi," the lady cleared her throat
"I got the Hollandaise and jewelry, they're very beautiful " the lady told her "Thank you."

Victoria let out a faint reluctant chuckle

"That was nothing, trust me."

The lady smiled too.

"But I don't understand why someone as big as Victoria Silver, would take out time from her busy schedule to pick out gifts for me and come see me, especially at such an hour."

The lady made sure she was sitting straight. She also made sure the smile on her face was still bright enough to entertain her visitor. She could see how comfortable Victoria had made herself into the seat she was in. How her purple woolen shawl was embracing her really expensive handmade dress in African prints.

"You're right." Victoria knew she didn't want to beat around the bush, she didn't have the time for that. If there was one thing she was good at, it was hitting the nail on the head. "There's actually a reason I sent those gifts, there's also a reason I'm here."

The lady nodded in agreement. It was obvious what she wanted but she wanted to hear it herself.

"It's about the case you're presiding over, the one that involves the murder of my son."

"What about it?" The lady placed her hands on the table, close enough for Victoria to see as she squeezed them together.

"You're the new judge assigned to the case aren't you?"

"Indeed I am." She nodded slightly

"What are your intentions?"

"I beg your pardon?"

Victoria let out a tiny sigh. She didn't bulge, she looked the lady in her eyes.

"I'm asking how you intend to take care of the case tomorrow, whose side would you be on?"

"I honestly don't understand your question Victoria but if you're asking how I intend to handle tomorrow's trial, I can't answer that right now. I'd just leave that to the evidence brought forward, the legal representations and the court to decide. I'm on the side of the law, on the side of truth."

"Well that's the point." Victoria dropped her legs gently and leaned to the table so she could have a closer look at the woman. "I don't care about the law or the truth. All I care about is justice for my son and that can only happen if that woman never gets out of prison."

Victoria dropped both hands on the table as she stared at the woman. The lady's smile was slowly fading away.

"You're the only one that can help me do that. I don't care what the price is, all I want is for you to make sure she doesn't leave that place."

"Excuse me?"

"I heard you'd be retiring very soon." Victoria added "How about I tell you that you won't have any issues securing your life and the life of your children financially after your retirement  if  you agree to help me? I could give you shares at Silver enterprise or give you a huge sum to invest in whatever business you choose. How does thirty million sound? I can make that possible. "

The lady scoffed
"Are you trying to bribe an officer of the law Mrs Silver? You do know this isn't going to help your case."

"Come on Pelumi, everyone has a price-"

"Judge pelumi-" The woman cut her off, she sounded really irritated. "It's judge Pelumi to you from now on."

Victoria scoffed. She could notice traces of disgust in the woman's eyes. She could notice how upset she was already. Victoria was too.

"Are you really not going to help me? You'd rather take the sides of one of them against your own people? A Biafran ? Those leaches?"

The woman got up as fast as she could. Victoria followed her with her gaze till the woman got to the door.

"Don't you have any regards towards your own people?"
The woman opened the door quickly

"Get out." She said glaring at Victoria.

Silence filled the room for a second

"How dare you?" She asked Victoria. "How dare you come into my office and try to bribe me? To insult me? Is the law a joke to you?" She was almost raising her voice now. "I know our country is irredeemable and rotten to the core but the law is still the law and the law states that every citizen has the right to a free and fair trial. It's people like you, people that think they can do what they want and get what they want when they want it that made me join this profession. People like you that have made this country laughable and so rotten." She continued "Not only are you a pathetic woman, you're also a tribalistic and ethnic bigot. I'm really ashamed of you. To think that a lot of youths look up to you. Keep her in prison? Who are you to decide who is to remain in prison? Who are you to destroy someone's life?"

Victoria got up slowly.

"Call me whatever you want," She sashayed to the door "It won't change the fact that I always get what I want eventually. People like you, always have a price and I'm sure I just need to think deep about what it could be."

She stopped right in front of the woman and looked her in her eyes.

"As long as I'm presiding over this case, that young child is going to get the fair trial she deserves. Her case would be left for the court and she'd be released if found innocent, that I can assure you. I'm going to pretend like this conversation never happened but if you ever talk to me about it again, I would involve the law and make sure you're punished accordingly."

Victoria chuckled

The words involve the law had never sounded so funny to her. The women were glaring viciously into each other's eyes now.

"You have no idea who you're messing with Pelumi." Victoria continued "But I'd give you some time to figure it out. Call me before tomorrow, if you change your mind."

Victoria turned

"You'd be getting your gifts back tonight. That's all you'd be getting from me."

Victoria cleared her throat.

"You can keep them. They are just a couple thousands anyway. I'd end up throwing them away eventually. You need them more than I do."

She sashayed  from the room, trying to hold her head up high "I'd be waiting for that call."

The woman shut the door immediately, as loud as she could but it didn't shake Victoria.

"Madam,"

Her bodyguards ran to her as fast as they could and escorted her away from the building.