Chapter 117 Chapter 118 To The Community Service
Micah’s POV
The moment I stepped out of the office, the court officials grabbed me immediately, escorting me straight to the van before tossing me inside.
Just as they were about to close the door, I caught sight of Judge Hilar stepping out of his office. He stood by the entrance, his gaze locked onto mine. His eyes were red and swollen as if he had been crying before coming outside.
Even as the police vehicle took off, my eyes remained fixed on him until his figure faded into the distance.
His words still haunted me, echoing in my mind as if he were standing right next to me, speaking them all over again.
Two hours later, we arrived at my home—the same home I had abandoned when I left to be with Rebecca. The officers dragged me out of the van and led me inside. Without hesitation, they fastened a device to my leg, and the moment it snapped into place, a sharp beeping sound filled the air.
I knew exactly what this device was. I had seen it in movies countless times—a tracking monitor to ensure I complied with my community service sentence.
“Tomorrow, the head of community service will come and take you to your assigned location. For now, just go in and get some rest,” one of the officers said. They lingered for a moment, making sure I stepped inside before finally leaving.
I watched from the window as they drove away, disappearing down the street.
Turning back, I took in the sight of my apartment—small, cramped, and suffocating. A shudder ran through me.
This was one of the reasons I had wanted to leave in the first place. Then I met Rebecca, saw her as weak, and decided to use her to climb the social ladder. But now, after everything, I was right back where I started.
Sinking into my wooden chair, I absentmindedly reached for the device on my leg.
"Agh!" I hissed in pain as it vibrated violently, sending a jolt through my body. It was as if I had touched a live wire.
With that, I knew—there was no removing this device on my own. No matter how hard I tried, it would shock me every time.
The next morning came quickly. A sudden knock at my door jolted me awake.
“Knock! Knock!”
I immediately knew who it was. The officer had said yesterday that the head of community service would come for me in the morning.
I braced myself for a long, grueling day. Community service meant hard labor—without pay, without rest.
But when I swung the door open, my heart froze.
Standing before me was a man in a suit, holding a briefcase.
“Hello, Mr. Micah,” he greeted, his voice crisp and professional.
Something about him didn’t sit right. I had never seen the head of community service before, but the aura radiating from this man told me he was anything but.
“I am Attorney Luke,” he announced. “I’m here to deliver this to you.”
With practiced efficiency, he opened his briefcase, pulled out a document, and handed it to me. His smile was awkward, fleeting. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
I stared after him, my pulse spiking. I had never seen this man before, but the moment he called himself an attorney, dread settled deep in my gut.
“Did I do something wrong?” I muttered under my breath. But he was already gone.
Slowly, I lowered my gaze to the document in my hands. My heartbeat pounded against my ribs as I read the words in front of me.
“You are hereby summoned to appear before the Supreme Court of Manderin on March 19, 2024, at 2 PM regarding a formal accusation against you. This summons is issued under the full authority of the court and must be treated with the utmost urgency.
You are required to present yourself without delay. Any attempt to evade this summons will result in an immediate warrant for your second arrest.
The details of the accusation will be presented in court. Consider this your only notice. You may bring legal representation, but your presence is non-negotiable.
Failure to comply will be taken as an act of defiance against the judicial system, with consequences beyond your control.
You have been warned.”
Judge Hilar’s POV
I woke up that morning with a heavy heart. The weight of yesterday’s events still lingered, pressing down on me like an unbearable burden.
Dragging myself out of bed, I made my way to the kitchen to brew some coffee. The rich aroma filled the air, but it did little to ease my troubled thoughts.
As I stirred the coffee, my mind replayed everything that had transpired. No matter how much I tried to shake it off, the fact remained—I had sentenced my own son to community service. The place I met Micah was the same place I had nearly condemned him to prison.
I had let my emotions take over my judgment. That much was clear.
And now, I knew there would be consequences.
Attorney David—Micah’s prosecutor—wasn’t the type to accept defeat, especially when he believed justice hadn’t been served. He would push this case higher, to a greater authority. And knowing him, he might even sue me for delivering an unfair ruling.
I sighed heavily. So many thoughts, and it was barely morning.
Reaching for my phone, I absentmindedly scrolled through my photos, stopping at pictures of Micah. My fingers hovered over his face, my heart aching in ways I could never put into words.
As I took a slow sip of coffee, a sudden knock echoed through the house.
Setting my cup down, I moved to the door, each step weighed with unease. When I pulled it open, my breath caught in my throat.
Attorney Luke.
My pulse spiked.
Everyone in the legal field knew what his presence meant. Whenever he arrived at someone’s door, it was never good news.
It only meant one thing—the Supreme Court of Manderin was summoning me.
And that court held more power than my own.
My hands trembled as he handed me a document and left without another word.
Swallowing hard, I slowly opened the envelope.
The moment my eyes landed on the contents, my stomach dropped.
I was in hot water.
My heart pounded furiously.
I had just been accused.
Summoned.
And I had no choice but to appear in court—tomorrow.