The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"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 tago. 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 ssnacks to keep your strength up; you'll need it." Raquel, tied up nearby, shuffled and whimpered.

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

Leopold, noticing her look, snorted and pulled out a pack of dry crackers, then ripped off the tape covering Raquel's mouth. "Here, enjoy!" Raquel, 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 witness a bit nicer?!" Leopold retorted, "Nice? You should be grateful you're even getting this. Knowing Vivienne, it's lenient of her not to have sent you to keep the dogs company." He didn't quite understand why Vivienne was somewhat indecisive on the ancient warrior lineage matter, unlike her usual decisive nature, but he trusted that Vivienne had her reasons.

He believed one thing for sure: the calm at the moment was likely the calm before a storm.

Leopold's face 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, her arms bound, twitched her fingers and glared. "Are you threatening me?!" "Don't forget, you're the one who needs us right now! How dare you treatlike this? Aren't you afraid I'll say something I shouldn't on the stand, something that could ruin you all?" Thomas took the bag of chips from Leopold, also passing his untouched iced tea to Cassidy. "Raquel, did you forget what's still inside you?" "I..." At those words, Raquel suddenly choked up.

Of course, she hadn't forgotten about the poison Vivienne had administered, causing unbearable pain before it even took full effect! She opened her mouth but finally accepted the dry crackers, no longer daring to speak out. Who knew what these people, as mad as Zinnia, might do to her behind Vivienne's back? Seeing that she had taken the food and finally shut up, Leopold's cold gaze returned to his computer.

At that moment.

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

Vivienne, 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, well, they weren't lacking in resources." She tilted her head, her tone light. "I'm quite curious, though. Why would so many influential people give money to someone as unknown as you were at the time?" Kipling turned pale.

His trembling gaze quickly swept over the camera, and he swallowed. "I didn't, those, those were just rumors online. I didn't take any bribes, it wasn't me, it was all photoshopped!" "Vivienne, stop changing the subject!" Though unsure what had occurred.

Seeing 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 not?!" She scoffed mockingly. "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 schagainst him for?!" Vivienne's cold gaze met hers.

Zinnia involuntarily shuddered, feeling a chill she couldn't shake off.

Luckily, Vivienne seemed to have glanced over unintentionally, quickly looking away without a word.

Her silence led Kipling and Zinnia to believe they were on the right track. Kipling immediately straightened up. "Your Honor, I am absolutely certain I never slandered anyone. Please believe me, Kaitlyn and the others are just stirring trouble!" S "Julian was innocent!" Kaitlyn, who had been silent, finally burst out, glaring at Kipling and then at Zinnia, standing with the jury. "You and Zinnia were themasterminds behind what happened back then! If it weren't for your detiberate framing, my in-laws wouldn't be in this situation!" Zinnia swayed, unfazed. "Kaitlyn, speak with sconscience! Your father-in-law is in this mess because he deserves it. Who asked him to harass my daughter? Such a morally bankrupt person doesn't deserve to live!" Vivienne arched an eyebrow, tugging at a visibly shaken Kaitlyn. "You keep throwing around accusations of indecency. Where's your proof?" Her voice was calm, almost detached. "Got a medical report? Or maybe, witnesses from back then?" "Of course, there are!" Kipling interjected, cutting off their exchange.

He then turned to the judge. "Your Honor, I have witnesses ready to prove I wasn't lying!" The judge, evidently wearied by their back-and-forth, lifted his chin slightly. "Bring in the witnesses." At his command, officers escorted a group of young people into the courtroom, their ages seemingly Belmatching Julian's and Tobin's. atmosphere was thick with anticipation, a typical American courtroom scene unfolding, where every word could tip the scales of justice.