CHAPTER 175

The courtroom buzzed with tension as the judge called for a recess. I stood, my legs shaky beneath me, and made my way toward the hallway. I needed air. I needed space to think.

As I pushed through the doors, I felt a hand on my arm. I turned, expecting to see Leon, but instead found Iva standing there, her expression unreadable.

"Margarette," she said softly, her voice cutting through the chaos of my thoughts, "you did great today."

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I believed her. “It’s not over yet.”

“No,” she agreed, “but you held your own. That’s what matters.”

I forced a smile, trying to push the jealousy down again. “Thanks, Iva.”

She hesitated, as if she wanted to say something more, but before she could, the doors swung open and Jack emerged, his face grim.

“We need to talk, Ms. Margarette” he said, his voice low. “There’s been a development.”

I stared at Jack, his expression heavy with something more than just the weariness of the courtroom. My heart picked up speed, my mind