The rescoil system hummed quietly overhead as Ms. Rivera made her way to the stand, each step measured and deliberate. Her charcoal suit caught the light filtering through the towering windows, the fabric rippling like liquid shadow. The jury watched her progress with a mix of sympathy and wariness - their earlier connection to her testimony now colored by uncertainty at this unexpected recall.

Daniel’s hand twitched toward Juniper’s arm but stopped short, the aborted gesture noticed by the gallery’s keen observers. A visiting judge from the Central Circuit raised an eyebrow, whispering to his colleague: “The defense team’s body language suggests they weren’t prepared for this move. Watch how they…”

“Ms. Rivera,” Roma began, his voice carrying that dangerous warmth that made several jurors shift uneasily in their seats. “I’d like to revisit your understanding of how data set biases can influence the formation of beliefs.”

Juniper and Daniel rose together - synchronized, instinctive - chairs scraping, objections colliding in their throats. Daniel caught himself, as he saw her already leaning forward, and lowered back into his seat with a jaw tight enough to crack. His eyes swept the room once, twice, as if looking for somewhere to put the objection he’d swallowed.

“Objection, Your Honor. Counsel is inappropriately questioning the witness about personal matters that are irrelevant to this case.”