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.

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

of dry crackers, then ripped off the

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

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

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

for sure: the calm at the moment was

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 concern." Raquel,

treat me like this? Aren't you afraid I'll say something I shouldn't on the stand, something that could ruin you

of chips from Leopold, also passing his untouched iced tea to Cassidy. "Raquel, did you forget what's still inside

"..."

those words, Raquel

about the poison Vivienne had administered, causing unbearable pain

to speak out. Who knew what these people, as mad as Zinnia, might do to her behind

that she had taken the food and finally shut

At that moment.

witness stand, Kipling, with his neck stiff, said something that made the jury murmur in

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

quite curious, though. Why would so many influential people give money to someone as unknown as

Kipling turned pale.

didn't, those, those were just rumors online. I didn't take any bribes,

changing

what had

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

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