I closed my eyes and drew a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Despite the sharp fizz of carbonation tapping against my throat, my mind wouldn’t clear. I stood rooted to the spot for a long moment. I’d been like this since yesterday—shocked, whether I’d admit it or not. It wasn’t the accident itself but what that man had done to me that still terrified me, making my body tremble. Even now, if I let my guard down for an instant, the fiery red haze would flare before my eyes, and they would sting as if burning.Get a grip.I hurled the empty can with all my strength. It clanged off the wall and bounced straight into the trash. Ridiculous thought. My eyes are fine. It’s all past.Better to review another piece of trial material while I have the time.I forced myself onward, quickening my pace more than necessary, ignoring the dull ache at the nape of my neck.The grand jury date arrived without fail. I finished my preparations early and headed to the courthouse. Reporters were already camped out in front. I spotted the defense counsel, flanked by cameras and journalists, making bold proclamations.“There will be no formal trial. I trust the jurors will make a wise decision…”I slipped quietly around the side and slipped inside. A reporter who’d spotted me called my name, but I pretended not to hear and went in.“They say she won’t pass the grand jury.”My assistant prosecutor greeted me anxiously in the hallway. I frowned.“Who said that?”“There’s an article in the paper.”He pulled out his phone and showed me. I skimmed it and handed it back.“That’s just bluffing. They do it all the time.”“Still—Miller’s on the other side, right? He might’ve bribed the jurors.”Concern flickered over his face. I paused a beat before answering.“That would be a crime. Do you really think he would?”The thought was tempting for a moment, but I couldn’t go along. My tone was colder than usual when I denied it. My assistant prosecutor leaned in and whispered.“They say there’s a bug in the conference room.”I halted, and he added,“Probably rumors, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. Maybe we should check.”I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I wanted to snap at him not to get swept up in gossip, but I lacked conviction. The memory of that man’s cold face, trying to burn my eyes out, felt ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) like a hand tightening around my throat. And I couldn’t ignore Miller Firm’s unbroken record.Just then I saw the defense counsel walking in. I shook myself back to reality, left my assistant prosecutor behind, and entered the courtroom.My assistant prosecutor had a point. Miller’s lawyers were infamous for tearing witnesses apart and discrediting evidence. They’d even manipulate public opinion when needed.But in a grand jury proceeding, defense counsel can’t speak. It’s all on the prosecution’s evidence and argument. There was nothing they could do.I met the lawyer’s eye as he took his seat. He gave a faint smile.Unshakeable confidence.Annoyed, I rifled through my files, then the judge entered. We all rose. After the brief formality of explaining terms and procedures to the jurors, I stood. It was time to move into the jury room. I exhaled once, steeled myself, and stepped forward.The jury room looked unremarkable. After a quick glance around, I took a seat at one side. A bustle of people finding their places quieted, and the grand jury began.Bug.I shook my head to erase the thought—what good would a bug do here? It wouldn’t affect the decision to indict.A few minor cases awaited indictment. I waited through two felonies. Then finally, my case.“Fourth: the case of Jonathan Davis. Arrested at home around 5 p.m. on X month, X day. He is accused of holding a party with friends the previous evening, gang-raping Anthony Smith, then shooting him in the face and killing him. The weapon was recovered at his home, and a large amount of semen matching Jonathan Davis was found in the victim’s body…”I heard jurors wince, frown, and murmur. I watched their reactions: disgust, repulsion, sorrow for the victim. No issues with indictment here. I let some tension leave my shoulders. As in the preliminary hearing, I called Charlie, Anthony’s longtime friend, to the stand.The witness testimony went smoothly. Charlie painted Anthony as kind and earnest, drawing sympathy. He also refuted media claims about Anthony’s actions that night.“He was never that kind of person. Yes, I had a crush on Jonathan Davis, but I never plotted to extort him. In fact, he avoided me, saying I wasn’t worth his time.”“Thank you. Any questions?”I paused, looked around the jurors, then said,“Shall we begin voting—”A man raised his hand. A bad feeling prickled me as I nodded.“You say the gun was found at Davis’s home, but does that prove it belonged to him?”“It was registered in his name, and we have testimony that he fired it.”“Then why didn’t that witness come today, and this man here instead?”His challenging tone made me frown; Charlie stiffened. I answered calmly,“That witness refused public testimony. His recorded statement has been admitted as evidence.”“Is that evidence reliable? Maybe this man shot him and framed Davis.”I paused to muster patience.I knew exactly this type of person—obsessed with crime dramas, thinking they’re experts, yammering nonsense as if it were reality.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.