The Million-Dollar Heart

"Good question."

Leopold hadn't gone into the courthouse, sitting instead in the parking lot outside, watching the live stream with the diligently working Thomas.

Each had a cup of iced tea in hand, with a bag of chips between them, enjoying the small comforts of life. "The online crowd sure knows what to focus on."

Thomas, holding onto his snack with a somewhat disdainful expression, remarked, "Kipling and Zinnia caught on pretty quick. I thought this whole mess would be over by now."

His gaze then settled on Cassidy, sitting a few rows ahead.

The girl seemed more alive than when he last saw her, probably because she knew that after today, she would be free.

She was holding a tablet, Kipling's voice filtering through her earbuds, her expression a mix of excitement and impatience. "When can I finally go in? Why does Ms. Hawthorn even bother with those scumbags?!"

They had never seen someone so eager to take down their own mother.

Leopold and Thomas exchanged glances, understanding Cassidy's stance.

If it were them, they'd probably have gone all out against Zinnia a long time ago. Cassidy had finally found a way to break free, naturally, she was desperate.

Leopold grabbed an unopened bag of chips from the side, handing it over. "Don't worry. It should be your turn soon. Have some snacks to keep your strength up; you'll need it." Raquel, tied up nearby, shuffled and whimpered.

bag of chips in

pack of dry crackers, then ripped

clearly dissatisfied with the dry, choking hazard of a cracker, complained, "Why does she get chips and soda, and I get this? Can't you treat a

this. Knowing Vivienne, it's lenient of her not to have sent you to

was somewhat indecisive on the ancient warrior lineage

the calm at the moment was

no emotion. "Alright then, I'll get someone to send over a feast for you later. But whether you'll be alive to enjoy it, well,

needs us right now! How dare you treat me like this? Aren't you afraid I'll say something I shouldn't on the stand, something that could

passing his untouched iced tea to Cassidy. "Raquel,

"..."

those words, Raquel suddenly

the poison Vivienne had administered, causing unbearable pain before it even took full

finally accepted the dry crackers, no longer daring to speak out. Who

that she had taken the food and finally

At that moment.

stiff, said something that made

over Kipling and then towards the judge. "You certainly didn't have the capability

would so many

Kipling turned pale.

quickly swept over the camera, and he swallowed. "I didn't, those, those were just rumors online. I didn't take any

stop changing

unsure what had

implicated in a loss, stood up again. "What we're discussing here is Julian's

to slander Julian, are you? Please, look at that old fool. What's there to scheme against him for?!"

involuntarily shuddered, feeling a chill she couldn't