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.

lingered on the bag of

pack of dry crackers, then ripped off

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

be grateful you're even getting this. Knowing Vivienne, it's lenient of her not to have sent you to

why Vivienne was somewhat indecisive on the ancient warrior lineage matter,

one thing for sure: the calm at the moment was likely the calm before a

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, that's not my concern." Raquel, her arms bound, twitched her

this? Aren't you afraid I'll say something I shouldn't

passing his untouched iced tea to Cassidy. "Raquel, did you forget what's still inside

"..."

words, Raquel suddenly

poison Vivienne had administered, causing unbearable pain

to speak out. Who knew what these people, as mad as Zinnia,

she had taken the food and finally shut

At that moment.

witness stand, Kipling, with his neck stiff, said something

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

quite curious, though. Why would so many influential people

Kipling turned pale.

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

stop changing the

unsure what had

Zinnia, anxious not to be implicated in a loss, stood up again. "What we're discussing here is Julian's misconduct. What does that have to do with

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

feeling a