Chapter 118 The Supreme Court Of Manderin
Micah’s POV
It didn’t matter how long I waited for the head of the community service to arrive so that I could complete my service for the day and ensure I wouldn’t land in trouble with the government—he never came. Hours passed, yet there was no sign of him. Frustration gnawed at me, but knowing full well that I couldn’t leave the house, I stayed put and waited until the next morning, hoping for clarity.
Morning arrived faster than I had anticipated, the sun barely peeking over the horizon when a sudden, resounding knock echoed through my home. My heart froze. The forceful banging sent a chill down my spine, instantly reminding me of the letter I had received the day before. Yesterday had been the 18th. Today was the 19th—the day I was supposed to appear before the Supreme Court of Manderin.
My pulse quickened as my mind scrambled for a solution. "How do I..."
BAM! BAM! BAM! Another heavy knock jolted me out of my thoughts. Without wasting another second, I rushed to the door, not wanting to worsen my situation. As soon as I opened it, a stern male voice greeted me.
“Mr. Micah, we are here to take you to court.”
Stepping back slightly, I took in the sight before me. Five men stood at my doorstep, their uniforms identical to those worn by the officials who had escorted me home the previous day. The vehicle they arrived in was the same, making it clear who they were and why they had come.
I didn’t resist. Instead, I took a steady breath, trying to explain my actions. “I waited all day for the head of community service, but—”
“We know, Mr. Micah,” the officer interrupted firmly. “Your case has been reassessed. The initial sentence has been overruled. You are no longer required to serve the community. Instead, you are now awaiting a new judgment. We have orders to bring you to the Supreme Court of Manderin. Now, put your hands where we can see them and step outside slowly.”
A shiver ran through me at his words. No more community service? A new judgment? My situation had taken an even more ominous turn. Swallowing hard, I complied, raising my hands and stepping out as instructed.
Without hesitation, they cuffed me, securing my wrists in cold steel before ushering me into the van as if I were nothing more than a package being transported. The drive to the courthouse was silent, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
When we arrived, it didn’t take long for me to notice that this was not the same court as before. This building held an intimidating air, its walls seeming to loom over me as I was led inside. I was placed in the dock, my hands still bound, as the courtroom slowly filled with spectators. The tension was palpable.
I scanned the faces around me, searching desperately for Attorney Deborah. She had been my legal counsel before. Surely, she would be here to represent me again? But as I searched every corner of the room, panic set in. She was nowhere to be found.
Instead, my eyes landed on Attorney David, seated confidently at the front of the courtroom. The sight of him only deepened my dread.
Before I could process further, movement at the entrance caught my attention. Rebecca, Mirabel, and Evelyn walked in, their presence only adding to my unease. They took their seats in the middle row, Rebecca crossing her legs elegantly, her expression unreadable. She didn’t spare me a single glance, her indifference cutting deeper than any words could.
A lump formed in my throat. If I had no attorney, how was I supposed to fight this case? Without representation, prison was inevitable.
Then, another shift in the room stole my focus. Court officials entered, escorting Judge Hilar—my father.
My eyes widened in shock. He was being led in like a prisoner, though he wasn’t wearing an inmate's jumpsuit. Dressed in his usual suit, he was placed in a dock identical to mine.
Judge Hilar? Accused? Why?
The air thickened with tension just as a powerful voice rang through the courtroom.
“Court!” the bailiff announced, his voice commanding absolute silence.
A hush fell over the room as Judge Lisa walked in.
Everyone in Manderin knew her name. Judge Lisa was legendary—renowned for her unwavering fairness, her sharp intellect, and her merciless sentencing of criminals. She was well into her seventies, yet her presence remained formidable. A pair of glasses perched on her nose as she settled into her seat with authority.
As she sat, the rest of the court followed suit.
“Who is representing the defendant?” she asked, her voice steady and firm.
For a brief, agonizing moment, silence hung in the air. Then, just as my panic threatened to consume me, a confident voice rang from the entrance.
“I will!”
All heads turned toward the courtroom doors as they burst open. A young man, no older than his twenties, strode inside. He was dressed in a fitted suit, carrying a briefcase, and exuded an air of certainty.
He walked briskly to the front, bowing respectfully before the jury.
“Forgive my tardiness, Your Honor. I chose to take on this case after watching the coverage on television. I believe everyone deserves a fair trial, regardless of their past, don’t you?”
Judge Lisa regarded him for a moment before nodding. “Proceed.”
With that, the young attorney took his seat at the defense table, positioned just slightly apart from Attorney David.
“Attorneys, approach the bench,” Judge Lisa instructed, signaling the start of what would undoubtedly be the most critical trial of my life.