Don’t sabotage yourself again, she reminded herself, pushing back against the initial falter caused by Roma’s challenges.

As the hearing drew to a close, both sides prepared their final arguments. Daniel stood, his tall frame commanding attention. Juniper’s gaze lifted instinctively, drawn to the shift in him… His posture radiated certainty, his jaw set with quiet determination. A newfound air of authority surrounded him, and for a brief moment, the weight pressing on her chest lightened.

The courtroom, which had earlier been captivated by Juniper, now turned their eyes to him, sensing the shift in the dynamic.

Daniel’s voice rang clear and confident, filling the room with a quiet strength. “Your Honor,” he began, “this case transcends individual prosecutions. We’re addressing a systemic issue that strikes at the very heart of our constitutional rights!”

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room before settling on Judge Donahue. The gallery leaned in, hanging on his every word. Sophia, sensing Juniper’s uncharacteristic hesitation, discreetly passed Daniel a note. He seamlessly incorporated it into his argument.

“The Equal Protection Clause is unequivocal,” Daniel continued, his tone resonating with conviction. “No individual or group should face arbitrary and discriminatory treatment from their government. Our evidence, meticulously compiled and analyzed, clearly demonstrates such practices.”

His head turned sharply toward the opposition table, eyes widening with barely contained disgust as they locked onto Roma. The look lasted only a moment… a flash of defiance.?. before he returned his attention to the judge.