Chapter 19 - .19 Trail (Optional)
Chapter 19 — "The People vs. Lang and Park"
The heavy oak doors of Courtroom 3C swung open at precisely 9:00 a.m. The gallery was packed—reporters, disgruntled ex-employees, concerned citizens, and a few masked influencers who couldn’t afford to miss history. The air buzzed with the same electricity you’d feel before a lightning strike.
Manager Park sat hunched in a wrinkled gray suit, flanked by his defense attorney. His leg bounced uncontrollably under the table. Beside him, CEO Lang looked less shaken—tailored suit, hair neatly slicked, jaw set like he was about to close a merger, not face a murder charge. But his eyes... they flickered with panic beneath the calm.
Jason sat in the back row, wearing a charcoal suit and neutral expression. Daisy sat beside him, tablet in hand, face unreadable behind her glasses.
"All rise," the bailiff announced.
Everyone stood as Judge Morano, a silver-haired woman with a razor-sharp gaze and zero patience for theatrics, entered the room.
"The Superior Court of Riverstone is now in session," the clerk began. "The People vs. Gerard Lang and Dae-Hyun Park, charges of second-degree rape, premeditated murder, and obstruction of justice. How do the defendants plead?"
"Not guilty," both lawyers replied in perfect sync.
The judge nodded slightly. "Very well. Prosecution, opening statement."
A woman in her early forties stood. Assistant District Attorney Monica Voss had a voice like sharpened steel. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," she began, walking forward. "This is not just a trial about two men. It’s a trial about an entire system that failed Vanessa Clark. A young woman who trusted the people she worked for. Who believed her company would protect her."
She clicked a remote. A photograph of Vanessa Clark appeared on the court screen—smiling, vibrant, alive.