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.

bag of chips in

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

clearly dissatisfied with the dry, choking hazard of a cracker, complained, "Why does she get chips and soda, and I

be grateful you're even getting this. Knowing Vivienne, it's lenient of her

why Vivienne was somewhat indecisive on the ancient warrior lineage matter, unlike her usual decisive nature, but he trusted that

sure: the calm at the

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 fingers and glared. "Are

like this? Aren't you afraid I'll

passing his untouched iced tea

"..."

Raquel

about the poison Vivienne had administered, causing unbearable pain before it even took

out.

finally shut up, Leopold's cold gaze returned to

At that moment.

stand, Kipling, with his neck stiff, said something

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

though. Why would so many influential people give money to someone as

Kipling turned pale.

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

stop changing the

what had

Kipling's demeanor weaken after Vivienne spoke, Zinnia, anxious not to be implicated in a loss, stood up again. "What we're

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

shuddered, feeling a chill she couldn't