Fene’s POV


    “All rise!”


    Everyone seated in the courtroom stood up. Jessy, Mike, Laird, and I sat together on the same long bench. In other seats, several people seemed to be observing the open trial as well.


    There were about six long wooden benches filled to capacity in this small courtroom. Most seemed to be family and friends of the defendants who were to be tried this morning by Judge Brown.


    Judge Brown was an elderly woman, perhaps in her fifties or older. Her hair was styled in short, dark brown curls, and she wore brown sses. As she sat in the highest chair in the room, she motioned for the audience to sit back down.


    “The State of New York vs. n Schmidt.”


    Laird then stood up and walked forward past the wooden barrier. He stood waiting as the bailiff brought n into the room. Shortly thereafter, n entered the room wearing a white shirt and gray pants.


    “Did he change clothes?” I whispered to Jessy.


    “Yes, Mike brought clean clothes for him this morning,” Jessy replied.


    “Do you think he looks thinner?” I asked Jessy.


    “It seems so. But n told Mike that the police gave him enough food.” Jessy frowned in concern.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    I winced sympathetically at n’s condition. Yes, he still looked handsome and confident, but it was clear his attire wasn’t as neat as usual. His beard looked longer, and his curly hair was only partiallybed back, not falling perfectly on his face like usual.


    What had the cells done to him in those two days? My guilt towards n grew stronger. I then made a small promise to myself toply with n’s every wish, at least until the final trial was over.


    “Are you here for the pretrial for the bail hearing, Mr. Schmidt?” Judge Brown asked n.


    “Yes,” n replied shortly.


    Laird whispered something to n, and then n quickly corrected himself more formally.


    “Yes, Your Honor,” he corrected.


    Judge Brown herself seemed not to be too concerned with the issue of honorifics. She was more focused on reading the case files on her desk.


    “Your Honor, may I shed some light on this case?” Laird requested.


    “Yes, please, Mr. Evans.” Judge Brown nodded and looked up at Laird.


    “Mr. Schmidt has been detained in the precinct cell for two days. He has no criminal record, and this is his first DUI case. Mr. Schmidt has only received a few tickets, all of which have been settled a long time ago,” Lairdid out the facts he had gathered.


    “So, I hope Your Honor will consider Mr. Schmidt’s good record,” Laird requested.


    “What about the assault on the police officer, Mr. Schmidt?” Judge Brown asked n again.


    “If I may exin, Your Honor.” Judge Brown nodded, allowing n to speak.


    “I was intoxicated and lost control, especially after the police officer who arrested us was suspicious and demeaning towards my friend who was sitting in the car,” n exined calmly.


    “She had nothing to do with the ident, but the officer’s words offended me. I only intended to protect my friend. You know how it is when a man is drunk,” n chuckled softly. “Your Honor.”


    Since no one elseughed, n fell silent again with a tense expression. Laird gave n a sharp look to keep him from speaking further.


    “I don’t know, Mr. Schmidt. The prosecutor and the arresting officer seem to disagree with your statement. If we want to know the truth about what happened, then we’ll have to hold several examination hearings.” Judge Brown appeared unsympathetic toward n.


    “Your Honor, my client will not waste our time and will plead guilty. He assures me he will arrive on time for the next scheduled trial and will notplicate the proceedings.” Laird seemed to be negotiating with the judge.


    Honestly, I didn’t understand why the trial could be soplicated. It was as if they had hidden intentions that could only be understood by legal experts up there.


    “I see there are small damages to public facilities due to this ident, so I will prioritize setting his bail amount to ensure the repair of the affected public facilities. Is that eptable, Mr. Schmidt?” The judge asked n again.


    Laird whispered to n, and n nodded his head.


    “Yes, Your Honor,” n replied.


    “In that case, I set the bail amount for suspended detention at $2, 000 until the next trial date.”


    The judge immediately struck the gavel decisively. n was then escorted back by the bailiff to the back door of the courtroom. Laird whispered something to n again, then returned to his seat to join us.


    “That was quite quick.” I sighed in relief.


    “Yes. Wait for me outside the courtroom. I’ll handle n’s documents first to pick him up. It may take about an hour,” Laird said as he ushered us all out of the courtroom.


    Laird rested his hand on my waist as we walked out. Just before we opened the courtroom door, Jessy suddenly held onto my shoulder.


    “Oh, no, Fene! Don’t go out yet!” Jessy drew in a breath as he looked at his phone screen.


    “Why?” I asked confusedly.


    “There are many reporters outside. The public rtions department said the reporters are waiting for you and n to give a statement,” Jessy said, biting his lip.


    “In that case, what should we do?” I asked, also puzzled.


    “Don’t say anything. Just go straight to the car and head home. We’ll meet at n’s house,” Laird quickly instructed me and Jessy.


    “But won’t n be upset if he doesn’t see us picking him up here?” I asked them again.


    “I’ll exin this condition to nter. You guys just go home first. Come on, I’ll escort you to the car,” Laird said.


    I then stood closer to Laird’s side. Jessy stood next to me to fend off the reporters. When the courtroom door opened, Mike immediately ran through the crowd to get the car from the parking lot.


    About a dozen reporters greeted us with shing camera lights. They shouted questions at me and didn’t stop until we walked into the courthouse lobby.


    There was even a paparazzi who had deliberatelyid down on the bottom step of the courthouse stairs. Perhaps to photograph the inside of my skirt. When it turned out I was wearing long pants and a dark brown zer, the paparazzi with the camera stood up again, cursing disappointedly at me.


    I didn’t expect to be highlighted in this small scandal. Although I felt guilty towards n, there was nothing I could do but obey Laird and get away from the New York courthouse as quickly as possible.