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

of dry crackers, then

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

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

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

at

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'll be alive to enjoy it, well, that's not my

the one who needs us right now! How dare you treat me like this? Aren't you afraid I'll

from Leopold, also passing his untouched iced tea

"..."

Raquel suddenly choked

Vivienne had

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

the food and finally shut up, Leopold's cold gaze returned

At that moment.

neck stiff, said something that made the jury

"You certainly didn't have the capability back then. But those

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

Kipling turned pale.

those were just rumors online. I didn't take any bribes, it wasn't me, it was all

stop changing the

what

implicated in a loss, stood up again. "What we're discussing here is Julian's misconduct. What does that have to do with whether Kipling took bribes

Julian, are you? Please,

feeling a chill she couldn't shake