Chapter 174: Justice
Clearing her record was necessary; it was a multi-faceted endeavour involving both legal finesse and persuasion. Fortunately, he was already well-connected within the corridors of power as John Belfort.
He stood up as he slipped papers into his dress shirt and made his way out of the office.
His reputation within the city preceded him, and as he strolled through the halls, the citizens gave him respect and showed him immense benevolence. He accepted the nods and greetings with congeniality, having proper knowledge of how to face a crowd.
Notwithstanding, they were all leeches, eagerly siphoning the resources he carefully managed and nurtured for their benefit.
"Cheers to you, Lord Belfort, you're awesome!" a particularly exuberant councilman proclaimed, nearly stumbling over his own excitement.
Arthur merely smiled, masking his true disdain. A true lord knew when to grant favour and when to withhold it. That was key to maintaining the balance of governance.
Upon reaching the courthouse, he seamlessly converted into smoke, dissipating into thin air before infiltrating the eligibility chambers.
The ambiance shifted the moment he entered. Towering stacks of files teetered precariously, representing the backlog of criminal cases awaiting resolution.
His brows furrowed as he scanned the cluttered room until his eyes fell upon the cabinet bearing Tayuya's name. He opened it and retrieved her application, unimpressed by the sheer weight of the crimes within those pages.
Ironically, each sheet was similar to the crimes he had been accused of back at the Leaf Village.
Not all records could be expunged under the law, especially those that could be classified as heinous felonies. Yet he had already taken the first step toward providing Tayuya with a new beginning—one that would legally make her free in the eyes of this country's officials.