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?

You Are Dead to Me

At the Ferguson family mansion, Mrs Ferguson senior was in the living room watching Gospel music on the television. She was enveloped with sadness. Her precious granddaughter-in-law was locked in prison for something she didn’t do.

Her heart was overwhelmed with bitterness. She bowed her head and prayed. She asked the Lord to protect her granddaughter-in-law from harm because she was innocent.

At that moment, her daughter-in-law, Gail Ferguson, entered the living room. She smiled brightly at her mother-in-law and said, “Mom, your granddaughter-in-law is two months pregnant.”

Mrs Ferguson senior couldn’t contain her excitement, and she cried tears of joy. She looked at her daughter-in-law and said, “I am so happy, my daughter. Let me go to your father and tell him the good news.”

Then she went to the kitchen and took the fruit from the fridge. She cut the fruit and put it on the plate. Then she went to the study room carrying the tray. She knocked on the door, then she opened it.

She smiled brightly at her husband and said, “Congratulations, my dearest husband. You are going to be a great-grandfather.” She put the tray on the desk, then she hugged her husband tightly.

They had been married for forty-nine years, but their love was still strong. They were planning to have a fiftieth anniversary, but they decided against it because of Thorne and his mistress.

Her husband was beaming with joy. He hugged his beloved wife back, grinning from ear to ear. He couldn’t wait to hold his little dumpling in his arms.

His eyes welled with tears when he thought of his precious granddaughter-in-law who was locked in prison. He blinked, and he managed to hold the tears back.

He looked at his wife with tenderness in his eyes and said, “Darling, let me call Thorne.” Then he took his phone and dialed his grandson’s number.

When it was connected, he put the phone on speaker and said with a stern voice, “Thorne, drop the charges immediately. My granddaughter-in-law is innocent, and she is carrying my great-grandson.”

Thorne was taken aback when he heard that his wife was pregnant. However, he hardened his heart and replied, “Grandpa, only Paula would be the mother of my children.

Michaela had to abort that thing in her belly because I would never acknowledge that child. She doesn’t deserve to carry the Ferguson heir.” Then he dropped the phone.

Mr Ferguson senior couldn’t believe his ears when he heard Thorne’s words. He wanted to kill his first great-grandson because of his mistress. A surge of anger rose in his heart.

He looked at his wife and said, “Should Thorne force my precious granddaughter-in-law to abort my first great-grandson, I will disown him.” Then he went to his bedroom to rest.

His wife took the tray and followed her husband to their bedroom. She was so disappointed in her precious grandson. Her heart was overwhelmed with emotions.

In the living room, Gail Ferguson was over the moon. After she told her husband the good news, she went to the kitchen and told the head chef that she would prepare dinner today. Then she gave the kitchen staff time off.

She went to her bedroom to change her clothes into comfortable clothes. She then headed to the kitchen to cook. Before she married Hayden Ferguson, she was working at a restaurant and her culinary skills were great.

An hour later, her mother-in-law walked into the kitchen. She looked at her daughter-in-law with sadness in her eyes when she saw her cooking up a storm.

It was supposed to be a joyous celebration for the Ferguson family, but their grandson denied them that joy. Gail looked at her mother-in-law smiling, but the smile froze on her face and asked, “What is wrong, Mom?”

Tears streamed down her mother-in-law’s face, and she replied, “Thorne wants to kill our first great-grandson.” Gail was utterly dumbfounded. She wiped her mother-in-law’s face with a tissue and asked, “What are you talking about, Mom?”

Her mother-in-law replied, “Your father-in-law asked Thorne to drop the charges against my granddaughter-in-law. Also, he told him about Michaela's pregnancy.

However, Thorne told him that he would never acknowledge our first great-grandson. He said Michaela should abort that thing in her belly. Your father-in-law was so upset he threatened to disown Thorne.”

Gail couldn’t believe her ears, her son was ruthless. He was going to force his wife to abort their baby because of the mistress. It would never happen, not even in his dreams.

She comforted her mother-in-law and said, “Don’t worry, Mom. I will ask Thorne to come home, then we will talk to him.” Gail switched off the stove, then she escorted her mother-in-law to her bedroom.

She was fuming with anger. She took her phone and dialed her son’s number. When it was connected she said, “What nonsense are you spouting about my grandson? Come back home to explain to your grandparents.” Then she hung up.”

Thorne loved his grandparents the most, but he was not going to drop the charges against his unworthy wife because of them. He wanted Michaela’s baby gone. It was her punishment for killing Paula and his baby.

After work, Thorne drove to his family mansion with a heavy heart. He didn’t want to disappoint his grandparents, but he couldn't forgive Michaela for hurting his beloved Paula.

After dinner, Mr Ferguson senior looked at his grandson and asked with a stern voice, “Thorne, are you going to kill my first great-grandson because of your mistress?”

Thorne’s father, Hayden, was dumbfounded when he heard his father’s words and asked, "Dad, what are you talking about?” He was overjoyed when his wife told him that his granddaughter was pregnant.

Mr Ferguson senior looked at his son and replied, “Please ask your son.” Hayden looked at his son with questioning eyes.

Thorne looked at his grandfather with icy cold eyes and replied, “Grandpa, Michaela killed my son with Paula. It is fair for her to pay with her son, an eye for an eye. I will ensure that that thing in her belly will be removed with her uterus.”

Everyone in the dining room was shocked when they heard Thorne’s cruelty. His grandmother and his mother had tears in their eyes.

His grandfather was shaking with rage and said sternly, “Thorne, should you kill my first great-grandson, you are dead to me. Don’t ever set foot in my house again. Please leave.”

Thorne froze when he heard his grandfather’s words. His family chose an outsider over him. His gaze darkened and replied, “Grandpa, since you decided to choose the murderer over me, you are dead to me too.

I hope you will never regret the decision you have made today, Grandpa. I will prove to you how vicious Michaela’s heart is.” Then he took his suit jacket and left the mansion.

The elders were dumbfounded. Mr Ferguson senior looked at his son, Hayden. He divorced his first wife because she failed to conceive. Was the Lord punishing them for failing to fight for their first daughter-in-law?

Prescription

At the Ferguson Private Hospital, Paula was still in a coma. Dr Bond asked the Cage family to get a prescription for the medicine Paula ate on the day of the accident.

The Cage family felt ashamed to ask young Mrs Ferguson for help because their daughter had wronged her. However, they didn’t have a choice; their daughter’s life was more important.

The following day, Mr Cage senior took his phone and dialed Durban Correctional Services Area Commissioner, David May’s number. When it was connected he said, “Commissioner May, apologies for troubling you.

I would like to visit Mrs Ferguson in prison. During the accident, she fed my granddaughter some pills and I want to ask her for a prescription.”

Commissioner May was dumbfounded when he heard Mr Cage senior's request and replied, “Sir, I will include your name in the visitors’ list. Please don’t hesitate to call me should you need any help.” Mr Cage senior thanked him profusely, and then they hung up the phone.

Mr Cage senior asked his eldest grandson, Samson, to take him to Durban Correctional Services to visit young Mrs Ferguson.

When they arrived at the prison, they were escorted to the visiting area. When Michaela was told that she had a visitor she thought it was her parents or her best friend Amanda Fox.

Michaela was surprised when she saw Mr Cage senior and his grandson. She looked at them with cold eyes. What are they doing here? She lowered her eyes to hide her emotions and asked, “May I help you, Sir?”

Mr Cage senior smiled and replied, “Mrs Ferguson, I would like to apologize for every pain my granddaughter has put you through. Also, I know deep down in my heart that you didn’t hurt my granddaughter, but you were set up by someone.

We are doing everything in our power to investigate this incident but so far we have come back empty-handed. The only thing we can offer you is protection while you are in prison until we find the evidence.

Last night, Sloane Ball visited the family. She told us that she was with Paula during the incident. Furthermore, she indicated that she saw you pushing my granddaughter. However, I have a feeling that I can’t shake that she is lying.

If she was with my granddaughter at that time, why didn't she call an ambulance or the police? Was she not supposed to be with my granddaughter in the ambulance? My gut feeling tells me that someone is framing you.”

Michaela was shocked when she heard Mr Cage senior's words and replied, “Thank you, Mr Cage, for believing in me. I didn’t see Sloane that day.

Where was she hiding? I think Sloane knows more than meets the eye. Mr Cage, is there anything you need help with?”

Mr Cage senior smiled and replied, “Mrs Ferguson, Dr Bond suggested that we should get a prescription of that medicine you fed my granddaughter.

He indicated that it would help her heal quickly. Can you please tell us the name of the doctor?”

Michaela smiled and replied, “Mr Cage, I have produced that medicine for my family and I have it at home. It would be difficult for me to give you the medicine because I am locked here.”

Mr Cage senior smiled brightly then he dialed Commissioner May for permission to take Mrs Ferguson out with them for a few hours. Commissioner May agreed, and he indicated that he would ask the police officers to escort them.

Mr Cage senior thanked Commissioner May, and then they hung up. A few minutes later, two police officers approached them.

One of the police officers greeted Mr Cage senior with respect and said, “Sir, Commissioner May has asked us to escort you.”

Mr Cage senior was in the military when he was young, and he contributed a lot to the country. After he retired, he served as South African President's advisor.

Michaela asked the police officer to escort them to her mansion. When they arrived at the mansion, Mr Cage senior smiled at Michaela and said, “Mrs Ferguson, we will stay in the car, take your time. We are not in a hurry.”

Michaela smiled and replied, “Please come inside because I will be long. I want to pack my suitcases and send them to the Miller family mansion.” Mr Cage senior and the others walked to the living room. Her nanny, Stella Fox, rushed to her and hugged her tightly crying.

Aunt Stella lost her husband due to illness when her daughter, Amanda Fox, was three years old. The Miller family hired her as Michaela's nanny, and they treated Stella's daughter as their own.

Michaela wiped Aunt Stella’s tears and said, “Please don’t cry, Auntie. I am alright. Thorne and his mistress will never defeat me.” Aunt Stella told her that she was praying for her protection in prison.

After Michaela had comforted Aunt Stella, she asked her to serve their guests with refreshments. Aunt Stella nodded her head, then she went to the kitchen. A few minutes later she brought tea and freshly baked scones on a tray.

Shortly afterward, she went to the second floor to look for Michaela. She was packing her clothes into the suitcases. When Michaela saw her she smiled and said, “Aunt Stella, please ask Amanda to fetch these suitcases.”

She moved the suitcases to the corridor and asked Aunt Stella to change the bed linen with new bedding. She didn’t want to leave her smell behind. Then they took the suitcases downstairs.

She took five exquisite gold cases from her handbag and gave them to her nanny and said, “Auntie, please give my mother three cases.” She took another five gold cases and said, “Please give these to my mother-in-law. It’s for my grandfather.”

Michaela smiled at her nanny and said, “Aunt Stella, you don’t have to stay here anymore, I will come to you when I am out of prison. Since I am pregnant I will need you to help my mother with the baby.”

Stella hugged Michaela tightly and said, “I will go back to the Miller family mansion today. I don’t want to lie to you, Michaela. I hate Thorne Ferguson and his mistress with all my heart.

I will never forgive them for every pain they put you through.” Michaela hugged her nanny back with tears streaming down her face.

She looked around the house for the last time, then she bid farewell to her nanny. She walked to the parking lot with Mr Cage senior and the others trailing behind.

She gave Mr Cage senior three exquisite gold cases and asked him to feed Paula one pill per week. Mr Cage senior thanked her profusely.

He looked at the stunning, intelligent young lady with interest. He wished his grandson, Samson, had seen her first.

Then the police officers took her back to prison. The prison guard took her back to her prison cell.