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.

of chips in Leopold's hand, filled

snorted and pulled out a pack of dry crackers, then

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

even getting this. Knowing Vivienne, it's lenient of

lineage matter, unlike her usual decisive

at the moment was likely

send over a feast for you later. But whether

needs us right now! How dare you treat me like this? Aren't you afraid

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

"..."

those words, Raquel suddenly

about the poison Vivienne had

crackers, no longer daring to speak out. Who

had taken the food and finally shut up, Leopold's

At that moment.

his neck stiff, said something that made

lounging lazily in her chair, swept her clear eyes over Kipling and then towards the judge. "You certainly didn't have the capability back then. But those who paid you,

Why would so many influential people give money to

Kipling turned pale.

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

changing

what had

Kipling's demeanor weaken after Vivienne spoke, 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 whether Kipling took bribes or

"You're not trying to say that Kipling was bribed 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