Attempted Murder Charges

Mr Aaron Blaze walked to the police station and asked to see his client, Mrs Michaela Ferguson. The police officer escorted him to the interrogation room.

A few minutes later, Michaela walked to the interrogation room and sat opposite her lawyer.

Mr Blaze looked at the woman with a swollen face and asked, “May I help you?” Michaela smiled faintly and replied, “Uncle Aaron, it’s me. Thorne beat me up for touching the love of his life.”

Mr Blaze’s heart was overwhelmed with bitterness. Michaela was like a daughter to him. He had advised her several times to walk away from her toxic marriage, to no avail.

Mr Blaze looked at Michaela and said, “Please tell me what happened.” Michaela told him the whole truth.

Then she said, “Thorne told me the surveillance camera was broken. So, there is no evidence that I didn’t push Paula Cage.”

Mr Blaze promised her that he would do everything to find evidence. He stood up and said, “Let me get you out of here.” Then he left the interrogation room.

When Mr Blaze went to post bail, he was told that Michaela Ferguson had been charged with attempted murder. His client had to appear before the court and apply for bail.

Her mother nearly fainted when she heard that. She asked her husband to go with her to the Ferguson family mansion to beg their son-in-law to forgive their daughter.

At the Ferguson residence in Umhlanga Rocks, Mr Thomas Ferguson was in the garden with his wife, Gladys Ferguson, and his daughter-in-law, Gail Ferguson, chatting and laughing.

At that moment, the intercom bell rang, Butler Snipes smiled broadly when he saw the Miller family. The Ferguson family and the Miller family were very close. Then Butler Snipes opened the gate for them.

He then ushered Mr Denzel Miller and his wife, Gloria Miller, to the living room. He greeted them with respect, then he went to the garden to inform Mr Ferguson senior about the Miller family’s visit.

Mr Ferguson senior and the others went to the living to meet their in-laws. He smiled brightly and said, “What a pleasant surprise, my in-laws. Are you well?”

Mr Miller looked at Mr Ferguson senior with sadness in his eyes and replied, “We have bad news, my in-laws. My son-in-law is accusing my daughter of trying to kill his lover.

This morning, Thorne’s lover sent a message to my daughter asking to meet her at Shalom Shopping Mall at 12 pm. However, Michaela arrived late because we had a board meeting. When she arrived, Miss Cage had already been injured.

It is difficult to prove that Michaela is innocent because someone has tempered with the surveillance camera. We came here to beg my son-in-law to drop the charge against my daughter.”

Mr Ferguson senior was so shocked when he heard that his precious granddaughter-in-law was accused of attempted murder.

He clutched his chest, and then he fainted. He was rushed to the Ferguson Private Hospital.

While they were in the waiting room, Mrs Miller told the Ferguson family that Thorne had forced her daughter to sign the divorce papers.

The Ferguson family was dumbfounded to hear that Thorne had divorced their beloved daughter-in-law. Michaela was the best thing that ever happened to the Ferguson family. However, her husband loathed her to the core.

Mrs Gail Ferguson hated Paula Cage with passion. Her son, Thorne, suffered from severe depression when Paula left him. A surge of anger rose in her heart, her son was an ingrate.

Her beloved daughter-in-law was there for him in his darkest days, she nursed him back to life. However, he had never appreciated her. Thorne had broken her precious daughter-in-law mentally and physically.

Mrs Ferguson took her phone and dialed her husband’s number. When it was connected she said, “Honey, please come to the hospital. Dad has fainted.”

Her husband’s voice was full of concern, and he replied, “I am on my way, Darling.” Then they hung up.

Mr Hayden Ferguson was the Ferguson Group Chairman. He asked his Executive Secretary to cancel all the scheduled meetings, and then he left.

When Mr Ferguson arrived at the hospital, his wife told him everything that Thorne had done. His eyes hardened as he couldn’t control the fury simmering inside him he took his phone and dialed his son’s number.

When it was connected, he said, “Thorne, come to the hospital urgently. Your grandfather has fainted.” Then he hung up.

Fortunately, Thorne was still at the hospital waiting outside his lover’s emergency room. A few minutes later, he walked to the Ferguson family private ward. He didn’t even look at his in-laws.

His father slapped him hard across the face and asked, “Thorne, is it true that you have pressed attempted murder charges against my daughter-in-law?”

Thorne’s expression was solemn, and he replied, “Yes, Dad. Michaela tried to kill Paula.”

His father was so upset that he slapped him again and asked, “Did you see her killing your lover or do you have evidence of my daughter-in-law committing the crime?”

Thorne replied, “I don’t need evidence, Dad. I know how vicious Michaela’s heart is. Dad, please don’t try to change my mind because I will only be satisfied when Michaela is dead. Paula is my life.”

Mr Ferguson was so disappointed in his son and asked, “Where was the love of your life when you nearly committed suicide?

One day you will regret the way you have treated your wife. My daughter-in-law has been nothing but a good wife to you.”

Mrs Ferguson looked at her son with pleading eyes and said, “Son, please drop the charges against my daughter-in-law, she is innocent.

How could you repay kindness with evil? How could you forget that you nearly died because of your so-called love of your life?”

Thorne replied, “Mom, Michaela is no longer your daughter-in-law, we have signed the divorce papers. Please don’t beg me; I will never forgive her for touching my bottom line.

Paula is fighting for her life, Mom. I will ensure that Michaela pays with her life for hurting her. Her whole family will be buried with Paula should she die.”

His mother-in-law cried sorrowfully when she heard her son-in-law’s words. She tried to approach her son-in-law, but her husband stopped her. He saw the look of disdain and disgust in Thorne’s eyes when he looked at them.

Mr Miller was praying in his heart for Paula’s life. Her daughter was not a vindictive person, she was kind-hearted. They had taught her to fear the Lord. Her biggest mistake was falling in love with her heartless and ungrateful husband.

Who Prescribed the Medicine?

Two hours later, Mr Ferguson senior was wheeled to the private ward with Mrs Ferguson senior trailing behind. The Ferguson family and the Miller family followed behind them.

A few minutes later, Dr Spikes walked into the private ward and said, “Mr Ferguson is stable. However, I want to keep him for observation. Please try not to agitate him.

It’s been a while since his heart has acted up. The medication he was taking made a big difference. Who prescribed the medicine for him?”

Mrs Ferguson looked at Dr Spikes and replied, “My daughter-in-law has been taking care of my father-in-law. I am not sure where she found the medication.

I will definitely ask her to refer you to the doctor who has prescribed the medicine.”

Mrs Miller looked at Mrs Ferguson with sadness in her eyes and said, “The medication was produced by Michaela. She is a Cardiologist.

After she married Thorne she stopped practicing medicine because she thought it would affect her relationship with her husband.”

The Ferguson family was dumbfounded. They didn’t know that Michaela had sacrificed so much for their foolish son. They were overwhelmed with bitterness.

Dr Spikes said, “I would like to see your daughter-in-law, Mrs Ferguson. I haven’t seen this medication on the market before. I would like to recommend it to my other patients.”

Thorne furrowed his brows when he heard Dr Spikes’ words. He was reminded of Paula’s attending doctor’s words, saying they had to thank the person who performed first aid to Paula.

It was clear to him that Michaela was vested in medicine. Why did she hide that important information from him?

Dr Spikes looked at the Ferguson family and said, “Please leave. Mr Ferguson needs to rest.” Hayden and his wife, Gail, left the hospital with the Miller family in tow.

Grandma Ferguson held Thorne’s hand, then they walked out of the private ward. She looked at her favourite grandson and said, “My precious grandson, please drop the charges.

My granddaughter-in-law is not a vindictive person. Please do it for me, my precious grandson.”

Thorne shook his Grandma’s hand and replied, “I am sorry, Grandma. I will never forgive Michaela for coming between me and the love of my life.

I was surprised when she agreed to sign the divorce papers. Unbeknownst to me, she was planning to kill Paula. Grandma, Paula is my life. Where did she get the confidence to touch my bottom line?

She had miscalculated when she thought that the mighty Ferguson family would protect her from what was coming to her.

I am going to teach her a lesson that she will never forget. I will make sure that she gets a life sentence. Grandma, every decision has consequences.” Then he left his grandmother standing.

Tears streamed down Grandma Ferguson's face. She was utterly disappointed in her precious grandson. It was clear to her that her precious granddaughter-in-law had fallen into a trap. Someone was playing tricks behind their backs.

Mrs Ferguson senior wiped away the tears, and then she walked to her husband’s private ward. She sat beside her husband’s bed and held his hand. She silently prayed for her granddaughter-in-law and her husband.

Ten hours later, Dr Bond walked to the Cage family. He looked exhausted and said, “Miss Cage was two months pregnant and we couldn’t save the baby.

She had three broken ribs, a broken leg, a broken arm, a ruptured spleen and a fractured skull. Also, her spinal cord has been severely damaged. It is too early to tell if she will be able to walk again.

We discovered that the person who saved her had fed her some pills. Please ask her for a prescription. It will help her to heal quickly.

She is not out of the woods yet. We don’t know if she will ever wake up. It will depend on her willpower.”

Mr Cage senior nearly fainted when he heard the doctor’s words. He staggered backward. His eldest grandson, Samson, held him before he fell.

Thorne couldn’t believe his ears when he heard that Paula was two months pregnant. Why didn’t she tell him? Tears welled in his eyes, but he held them back. How could Michaela kill his unborn son? His heart was overwhelmed with hatred towards his worthless wife.

Mr Cage senior looked at Thorne coldly and said, “Mr Ferguson, please leave. My precious granddaughter is fighting for her life because you failed to respect your wedding vows.

You have failed the young lady who saved my granddaughter’s life, and you have failed my Paula.

You were not supposed to be involved with her while you were still married. I blame you for the pain you have caused my granddaughter. You have brought nothing but pain to the Miller family and the Cage family.”

Even though Paula was spoiled rotten by her family, her grandfather had asked her several times not to interfere in Thorne and Michaela’s marriage, but she never listened.

He didn’t want his precious granddaughter to be labeled as a homewrecker. Society didn’t take kindly to the person who destroyed other people's marriages.

At that moment, Paula was wheeled to the ICU. She had a cast on her arm and leg. Her head had a thick white bandage. Her grandfather’s heart ached when he saw his granddaughter in so much pain. He wished he could switch places with her.

Mr Cage senior looked at Thorne and said, “I don’t want to see you near my granddaughter ever again.” He turned to his bodyguards and said, “Please escort Mr Ferguson out.”

Thorne wasn't surprised when he heard Mr Cage senior's words because his beloved Paula had told him several times that her family was trying to break them up.

He looked at Mr Cage senior for a long time, then he left the hospital with a heavy heart. He vowed in his heart that he would avenge Paula and their unborn son.

If Michaela thought that being in prison would be a walk in the park she should think again. He would ensure that she would be tortured beyond recognition.

Bail Application Hearing

On the day of Michaela Ferguson’s bail hearing, the courtroom was packed to capacity. The reporters were gathered outside the courthouse. When they saw Thorne Ferguson, they rushed to him with microphones.

Ben, the reporter asked, “Mr Ferguson, is it true that you pressed charges against your wife for attempting to kill your mistress?”

Thorne looked at Ben, the reporter coldly and replied, “I will answer all your questions after the court has passed the judgment.” Then he walked to the courthouse with his lawyer, Jeff Cliff, trailing behind.

Jeff Cliff was very smart, and he had never lost a criminal case before. He loved Paula Cage as his baby sister. However, he loathed Michaela with all his heart for stealing Thorne from his dearest Paula.

He felt that Michaela didn’t deserve Thorne. Even though the Miller family and the Cage family were both wealthy, Jeff Cliff still felt that Michaela was inferior to Paula.

Michaela Ferguson was a rare beauty, intelligent and soft-hearted. Paula Cage was inferior to Michaela in every aspect. The Cage family had spoiled her rotten; she was arrogant and full of herself.

A few minutes later, the Miller family and the Ferguson family arrived in court. Mrs Miller couldn’t sleep a wink. She applied heavy make-up to hide dark circles under her eyes.

Ben, the reporter, approached them and asked, “Mr Ferguson, how did you feel when you heard that your son was accusing your daughter-in-law of attempted murder?”

Mr Ferguson looked at Ben, the reporter, and replied, “I am ashamed to be called his father. I have no doubt in my mind that my daughter-in-law is innocent. She doesn’t have any evilness in her heart.

I would like to advise Thorne and the Cage family to investigate this matter thoroughly. Also, I want to declare that only Michaela will be the Ferguson family daughter-in-law.” Then he took his wife’s hand and walked to the courtroom.

The Cage family didn’t come to the courthouse because they believed that Miss Miller was innocent. They felt that someone had set her up.

Michaela was brought in by a police van. She was wearing a blue knee-high dress with a cream blazer. It showed her curvaceous figure.

Uncle Blaze had sent her a swelling ointment and the swelling in her face had gone down. She wore heavy make-up to cover the bruises on her face.

Since Jeff Cliff was the plaintiff, he sat on the right-hand side with Mr Thorne Ferguson.

A few minutes later, the defendant’s lawyer, Aaron Blaze, walked into the courtroom and sat on the left-hand side with Michaela Ferguson.

Shortly afterward, Judge Harris walked in wearing a long black robe. He sat on the bench above the witness stand. Judge Harris banged his gavel to indicate that the court was in session.

Mr Ferguson’s lawyer, Jeff Cliff, approached the bench and said, “Your Honour, Miss Michaela Miller has committed a serious crime. The victim, Miss Cage, was still in critical condition.

Also, Miss Miller’s residential address couldn’t be confirmed since she had signed the divorce papers.

Furthermore, Miss Miller is a flight risk. She is in possession of the valid travel documentation.

Miss Miller had been studying overseas for several years, her friends were in the USA. Your Honour, please don’t grant Miss Miller bail.”

Mrs Ferguson’s lawyer, Aaron Blaze, stood up and argued, “Although Mrs Ferguson had signed the divorce papers, the divorce has not been finalized yet.

Your Honour, her fixed residential address will never change because their mansion was their wedding gift from the Miller family.

Mrs Ferguson is not a flight risk because she is permanently employed at the Miller Group as Deputy President.

Your Honour, please grant Mrs Ferguson bail."

Judge Harris said, “I have listened to the arguments of both sides. I decided to oppose the bail on the following grounds:

Mrs Ferguson has traveling documentation, and she has previously traveled outside the borders of the Republic.

Also, the offense she committed was very serious. The victim, Miss Paula Cage, was still in a coma.

It would be reckless and irresponsible to release Mrs Ferguson on bail. Therefore, the bail application is denied.”

Michaela was so shocked when she heard Judge Harris’ decision. Tears streamed down her face. She used to love Thorne Ferguson wholeheartedly, but now she felt nothing but hatred towards him.

She blamed herself for being naïve. Her parents begged her to leave Thorne when his first love returned, but she refused. She wished she could press the rewind button.

She turned her head and looked at the back row. She saw her mother crying sorrowfully in her father’s arms. She had caused pain to her parents. Her heart was overwhelmed with bitterness.

A few minutes later, the prison guard took Michaela to Durban Correctional Services to wait for her trial. Her beloved husband and his mistress had turned her life upside down.

Two days later, Mr Aaron Blaze received a call from the prosecutor indicating that Mrs Michaela Ferguson’s case would be sitting in two weeks’ time.

He mentioned that the attending doctor indicated that Miss Paula Cage might not be able to wake up. Therefore, there was no need for a delay.

It was clear to Mr Blaze that Michaela’s husband was pushing the prosecutor behind the scenes. He wanted to see Michaela dead.

He drove his car and went to Durban Correctional Services to visit his client. When he arrived in prison, he couldn’t recognize his client. Michaela was beaten to a pulp.

Mr Blaze’s heart ached when he saw Michaela like that and asked, “Do you want me to move you to a single cell?”

Michaela shook her head and replied, “Don’t bother, Uncle Blaze. The person who beat me up told me that she was following my husband’s instructions.

My only problem is that I am two months pregnant. I am scared that I will lose the baby.”

Mr Blaze was dumbfounded to hear that Michaela was pregnant and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me before because I would have used it as my argument in the bail hearing?”

Michaela told him that she was trying to hide the pregnancy from her husband. She didn’t want to trap him with the baby since he didn’t love her. Michaela asked her lawyer not to disclose that she was pregnant.

Later on that day, her mother-in-law came to visit her. She had prepared delicious food for her daughter-in-law. When the smell hit Michaela, she rushed to the ladies' room to vomit.

When she came back, she asked her mother-in-law to take the food away.

Her mother-in-law was so scared and asked, “What is wrong, Michaela?” Michaela smiled and told her mother-in-law that she had found out that she was two months pregnant.

Her mother-in-law was over the moon. She couldn’t wait to hold her little grandson in her arms. Michaela asked her not to tell Thorne about the pregnancy because she was scared that he would ask her to abort the baby.

Would Mrs Ferguson be able to hide the pregnancy news from his son?