As Juniper paused, the echo of her own voice in her ears made her stomach drop.

She couldn’t help but think she might have chosen the wrong words in the moment - could have chosen any other words at all.

The jury’s expressions were blank, unreadable, almost confused, as if she’d suddenly started speaking in a language they didn’t understand. The silence that followed felt like a verdict all its own…

Daniel stood up abruptly. “Your Honor, United States v. Juisys LLC is a case regarding national security from 20 plus years ago. That was a different time. Multiple safety measures have been implemented on the open ledger since then. It is also well-known,” he hesitated, “that this case was denied use of Federal Law, 41 U.S.C. § 4712, given the information the Juisys mainframe released regarding government corruption.”

“Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is making a speech rather than raising a point of order,” Roma interjected. He straightened his cuffs… unhurried, almost appreciative… the corner of his mouth lifting just enough to suggest he’d been waiting for them to meet him on this ground. The look of a man watching his opponents finally pick up the dice. Maybe even satisfaction… “This is way out of line and not relevant at all.” His indignation landed perfectly calibrated, manufactured outrage bleeding through the courtroom like ink through water.

Judge Donahue’s gavel cracked through the air, his expression darkening as he surveyed the mounting chaos before him. “Order!” The word echoed off the boarded walls, bouncing between the sconces like a ricocheting bullet. The gallery fell silent, the observers’ tabs frozen mid-note as they absorbed the rising tension.

Daniel eased back into his chair, the motion deliberately controlled despite the edge that had sharpened his words. As he settled, his eyes found Juniper’s… held there a beat longer than strategy required. Her slight nod came with something softer underneath it. They both knew his outburst crossed a line. But neither of them had ever been good at playing the hand they were dealt.