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.

the bag of chips in Leopold's hand, filled with

look, snorted and pulled out a pack of dry crackers, then ripped off

of a cracker, complained, "Why does she get chips and soda, and I get this? Can't you

"Nice? You should be grateful you're even getting this. Knowing Vivienne, it's lenient of her not to have

somewhat indecisive on the ancient warrior lineage matter, unlike her usual decisive

believed one thing for sure: the calm at the moment was likely

face might have been smiling, but his eyes showed no emotion. "Alright then, I'll get someone to send over a feast for you later. But whether

you're the one who 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

passing his untouched iced tea to Cassidy. "Raquel, did

"..."

those words, Raquel suddenly

course, she hadn't forgotten about the poison Vivienne had

no longer daring to speak out. Who knew what these people, as mad as

the food and finally shut up, Leopold's cold

At that moment.

his neck stiff, said

her chair, swept her clear eyes over Kipling and then towards the judge. "You certainly didn't have

tone light. "I'm quite curious, though. Why would so many influential people give money to

Kipling turned pale.

and he swallowed. "I didn't, those, those were just rumors

changing the

what had

loss, stood up again. "What

that Kipling was bribed to slander Julian, are you? Please, look at that old fool. What's there to scheme against

shuddered, feeling a chill she