Sarah said, "I may not know much about Morris''s character, but I trust youpletely."


    Nathalie squeezed Sarah''s hand with gratitude. "I can''t even begin to express how thankful I am to you, Sarah. My family, especially Nathan, is beyond grateful."


    Sarah replied, "Let''s hold off on the thank-yous for now. The trial is just around the corner, and we have a lot to prep for."


    Nathalie nodded. "Got it."


    The day of the trial rolled around right on schedule.


    On that day, Nathalie felt a mix of nerves and a touch of superstition. She asked Lizzy, "Could you find me a dress? One with a really high slit?"


    Lizzy, ever the amodating sister, didn''t question it. She brought out all the dresses, scrutinizing the slits, and picked a pale yellow one with the highest slit. It came with a little cape, striking a bnce between sexy and ssy.


    Nathalie, always the free spirit, slipped into the dress, threw her hair up in a bun, and headed out. She waspletely unaware of how stunning she looked.


    When she got to the courthouse, she realized the ce was packed. Her entrance turned heads everywhere; people seemed captivated by her dazzling appearance, their faces showing surprise.


    Worried she might have something on her face, Nathalie gave it a good rub.


    Just then, Officer Baldwin brought in No. 13. His eyes fell on Nathalie and her long, elegant leg that peeked from her dress. His face went nk.


    He rubbed his forehead, lost in his own thoughts.


    From across the room, Sarah waved, and Nathalie made her way over, sitting beside her.


    Ashley, sitting right in front, turned around and red at Nathalie. "Wearing a dress to steal the spotlight-maybe not the best choice for court."


    Nathalie shot back, "I''m wearing this to celebrate Nathan''s sure win."


    Ashley was left speechless.


    Though Nathalie didn''t raise her voice, it cut through the room.


    The powerful families looked none too pleased.


    However, Morris had a faint, almost invisible smile.


    The trial kicked off with great intensity.


    When Scottie stood up as Morris''s defensewyer, it was like a beacon of hope for Morris''s camp.


    Scottie had a long track record of defending the just cause, practically a symbol of justice.


    Whispers started spreading in the audience, "Scottie''s defending Morris... does this mean Morris is innocent?"


    The influential families'' faces fell even further.


    Despite hiring a top-tierwyer, the families'' attorney seemed ineffective, almost


    as if the Rond family had clipped his wings.


    Scottie made apelling case for reducing Morris''s sentence. The opposingwyer wanted to push back, but a subtle shake of the head from Paige made him falter,


    Lovel


    resulting in him muttering something trivial.


    Scottie ran over the opposition with ease.


    When Scottie sessfully reduced Morris''s sentence to six years, and the judge asked the opposingwyer for final remarks, thewyer finally found his footing and argued, "Morris moved a significant amount of money. Even though he paid it back, the damage to the families is huge. I agree on a reduced sentence, but six years is too lenient for such a serious crime."


    Scottie countered smoothly, "From what I see, the downfall of these families wasn''t due to financial issues. Maple Company taking over their business is what did it. Ine business,petition is part of the game. Where''s the fault in that?" Cóntent