The gallery’s collective posture shifted forward like a wave, their attention refocusing on the proceedings. Even the court reporter’s fingers resumed their rhythmic tapping on the machine, now capturing the resumed gravity of the courtroom drama.

As the static barrier dropped, the gallery seemed to collectively lean in, tabs again un displayed as they sensed the shift in atmosphere. Roma’s performance at sidebar had cracked something loose - transformed the stately courtroom into an arena where even the scotch candelabrum felt charged with potential.

Juniper’s heels clicked against marble with deadly precision as she returned to position. Her path took her past Daniel… their eyes met without meaning to, then ricocheted apart as something unfinished passed between them. She looked away too quickly. Her silk blouse rippled like armor as she squared her shoulders. The jury watched her approach, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness after witnessing the charged exchange at bench.

“Mr. Delaney,” she began, her voice landing in that register that made pens stop moving mid-stroke, “could you explain the relationship between your moral rights under Section 106 and the system’s core architecture?”

Before he could respond, Roma’s voice cut through the air: “Objection - calls for a legal conclusion.”

“Your Honor,” Juniper countered smoothly, “Mr. Delaney’s unique position as both creator and patent holder makes him specifically qualified to address these technical-legal intersections.”

Judge Donahue nodded slowly. “Overruled. The witness may answer.”

Delaney leaned forward, his weathered hands gesturing with an engineer’s precision as he spoke. “The moral rights embedded in the code aren’t just comments or metadata - they’re fundamental to how the system interprets constitutional principles. Every object model, every safety and input framework carries my original intent.”

Sophia’s fingers danced across her tablet, bringing up another code snippet on the displays. The jury’s attention shifted between the complex algorithms and Delaney’s increasingly animated expression as he explained how his creative fingerprints were woven into the system’s very DNA.