Dear Eva,
I was told that I needed more than just a recording for Kingsley to be sentenced to jail. Stan had hired a female lawyer for me. She explained that my evidence needed to be backed up further and suggested I find witnesses who had seen Kingsley take me away.
The first person that came to mind was Fifi. Stan had already volunteered to be a witness, and his bruises were solid evidence, but the lawyer insisted we needed more to nail Kingsley.
Stan came up with a foolproof plan. He said he had seen the face of one of the boys working for Kingsley, pretending to be a policeman. With the help of his former gang contacts, he tracked the guy down in the neighborhood and captured him. They threatened him, just as Stan had said, and discovered that Kingsley had done this to other women too. Some he defiled; others he simply f0rced to repay everything he had spent on them. Then he used those boys to intimidate the women's families. Kingsley wasn't just a hotel manager—he used those boys for robbery as well.
The captured man was more than enough evidence.
"I'm only going to testify in court because Boss King has been cheating us on the operation cuts! He needs to pay," the guy said.
I asked if he knew he would also be punished for being part of the crime, and he said yes, but at least his punishment would be lighter.
"Eventually, a criminal will be caught one day," he added.
I couldn't thank Stan enough. If not for him, I would have d1ed in silence and become Kingsley's slave.
After five days, I finally decided to go back home and called for an emergency family meeting. I blamed my mother. I blamed my father—for being so intoxicated by money that they failed to recognize who Kingsley truly was.
"He locked me in his house for a whole week! And you believed we were on vacation!" I shouted.
My mother apologized, saying she had no idea. My father admitted he had doubts at first, but my mother had convinced him that I was fine. I told them Kingsley was demanding repayment, and I was taking him to court. With that, I left the house and returned to the hotel, where I met Fifi.
I apologized to Fifi for speaking to her so rudely and begged her to be a witness.
"Over my de@d body, Eva! Me? Testify against my Kingsley now that he's finally looking my way?! God forbid!" she snapped.
Fifi refused vehemently, even when I warned her that Kingsley wasn't who he seemed. She didn't believe me, so I left her and began preparing for the court trial.
The night before the trial, Kingsley stormed into my house with his boys and startled us.
"Taking me to court, Eva?" he laughed. "Do you think just telling them I gave you a sweet vacation will land me in jail?" He laughed again.
"If I had known you were like this, I would never have let you into our lives! I curse the day you became my daughter's boss," my father declared.
Kingsley laughed.
"Don't worry, I just came to remind your daughter that the amount she owes me has increased. It's now five million naira," he said.
I felt like jumping at him and hitting the hell out of him, but I held back.
"After the trial tomorrow—of course, which I will win—your payment starts immediately. I won't ask again."
As he turned to leave, I stepped forward.
"And what if you're found guilty?" I asked.
"It will never happen, Eva," he replied confidently and walked out.
His appearance shook both my sister and the rest of my family. They couldn't believe it. But I assured them—I would deal with Kingsley.
On the day of the trial, I had no idea that my lawyer, Sheila, had gone ahead to find other women who had also suffered at Kingsley's hands. Each of them shared their stories—their pain—and how they had worked in the hotel, paid off their so-called debts to Kingsley, and left for good. I was shocked.
There were two women: Jennifer and Chika. Kingsley had called them "Dear Jennifer" or "Dear Chika." Clearly, I wasn't the first.
Stan also testified.
From where I sat, I could see Kingsley growing visibly uncomfortable. I gave my testimony too, and Sheila played the recording. Then, the final witness was called—Kingsley's boy. The shock on Kingsley's face when he saw him was unforgettable. The guy narrated everything they had done—every operation they had carried out for Kingsley. Each word he spoke brought a smile to my face.
After the court was adjourned for the jury to reach a verdict, I saw Kingsley yelling at his lawyer to do something or risk losing the case. He was restless, while I sat in a corner with Stan, sipping my juice in peace.
With the evidence and the witnesses, Kingsley was found guilty of robbery, kidn@pping, and @ss@ult. He was sentenced to thirty years in prison.
My joy knew no bounds.
I jumped into Stan's arms and rejoiced.
"I'm free! Free as a bird! We did it!"
To be continued...
Sorry for the late update, dear readers.
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