Aside from that, as far as I know, John was in mourning for her mother at the time. According to the laws of our dynasty, marriage is not permitted during this period, and this law concerns human ethics and morality, so everyone is aware of it. Yet Charles Bennett, knowing the law, still insisted on betrothing John to Henry Walker. Legally speaking, this marriage cannot be considered valid. To demand ten mu of land from the other party for a marriage that is not even recognized by the law—this is enough to determine that it is an act of fraud.”

Robert Clark frowned upon hearing this and couldn’t help but look at Edward Foster.

Edward Foster seemed to have anticipated his glance and quietly gave him an innocent look.

This has nothing to do with me.

I really underestimated this person. Robert Clark immediately felt quite dejected.

If he wanted to punish Charles Bennett based solely on those few words of praise, he would never allow it.

But if the basis for judgment is that one cannot marry during mourning, then he was in a bit of a bind.

It’s not just because the law says so—there are also folk customs. Among ordinary people, it’s generally said that during the mourning period, one cannot hold a wedding ceremony, but it doesn’t mean that betrothal gifts cannot be accepted.

What Charles Bennett did can’t really be said to violate the rites and laws.

But the key point is, Edward Foster had already used this law to overturn the Dali Temple’s verdict, and the Dali Temple had already withdrawn the charge of grave misconduct and no longer recognized their marriage. If he wanted to be strict about it, would the Dali Temple let them off?

This could even affect Edward Foster’s official career.

This is truly double standards.

Although Robert Clark was dissatisfied, he could only nod and say, “The law does indeed stipulate this.”

He dared not argue any further.

Charles Bennett immediately panicked. Anyone with eyes could see that Robert Clark was biased toward him, which was actually Edward Foster’s intention, to ensure fairness.

But for William Bolton, just having Robert Clark on his side wasn’t enough, because this was a matter of public sentiment. He also had to convince the onlooking citizens at the door to accept this reasoning.

William Bolton suddenly looked around and said forcefully, “There is no doubt that Henry Walker is the greatest victim in this case.”

The greatest victim?

Not the only one?

Robert Clark felt something was off as soon as he heard this.

A trace of a smile flashed in Edward Foster’s eyes, but he said nothing, letting William Bolton continue.

Then William Bolton said, “Moreover, the psychological harm caused to Henry Walker by this case far exceeds the physical harm he suffered.”

At this, he looked up and sighed, “Henry Walker, because of his ugly appearance, was ostracized by his playmates since childhood, and as he grew up, he was shunned by others. Now, having passed the age of thirty, he is still unmarried.

But this body and skin are given by his parents; this is not his fault, yet he suffers for it. Heaven is truly unjust.

Originally, Henry Walker had resigned himself to a lonely life. It was Charles Bennett who gave him hope, but also Charles Bennett who cast him into the abyss.

A woman would rather risk everything and commit murder than marry him—how great a blow must this be to him?”

As he spoke, a wailing sound was suddenly heard. Henry Walker was seen sitting on a chair, holding his head in his hands, his whole body convulsing.

This scene moved everyone present!

Many women even covered their faces and wept.

Even Robert Clark couldn’t help but lower his eyes and sigh.

Those words were truly hurtful.

Tears glimmered at the corners of William Bolton’s eyes. With a long sigh, he continued, “I do not know what the situation was in the Fang family at the time. What is certain is that John had objected beforehand, and the result has told us the answer: her objection was not acknowledged. On the contrary, she was forced to marry Henry Walker, which led to this tragic breach of human ethics. So who forced John to marry Henry Walker? It was him, Charles Bennett.”

William Bolton pointed at Charles Bennett and continued, “And he did it solely for the ten mu of land in Henry Walker’s family, forcing his niece to disregard mourning and virtue during his brother and sister-in-law’s funeral. This is unworthy of a brother, unworthy of an uncle, and even more unworthy of a human being. He must be held responsible for this. But since he truly had no intent to harm, I, a humble citizen, hereby plead with the magistrate to order Charles Bennett to compensate Henry Walker with fifty mu of land for the harm he has suffered.”

Although Charles Bennett was more eloquent than Henry Walker, in this courtroom he was intimidated and dared not speak up. Now, hearing that he was to compensate fifty mu of land, he burst into tears on the spot, “Your Excellency, please see the truth! I am wronged! I am wronged! I only meant well, with no intention to harm anyone.”

But in the face of his cries, most people present looked on coldly.

Too despicable!

Edward Foster asked, “Is that so? Then let me ask you, why did you betroth John to Henry Walker while she was in mourning?”

Charles Bennett argued, “Many people arrange marriages and accept betrothal gifts during mourning; they just don’t hold the ceremony. I am not the only one who does this!”

Edward Foster said, “But most of them act out of goodwill, or out of care and concern for the younger generation, not out of malice or personal gain. What Zhang San said is not wrong. As an elder, to force your niece to seek profit for yourself while your brother and sister-in-law’s bodies are not yet cold—your motives are truly shameful.”

After speaking, Edward Foster turned to William Bolton and asked, “You are demanding fifty mu of land as compensation on behalf of Henry Walker. Do you have any justification?”

Fifty mu of land was by no means a small sum. Even he hadn’t expected William Bolton to demand so much compensation.