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• Chapter 29

  While Vera was organizing files related to a domestic violence case, one of her informants told her that Jonathan had connections with Anthony Wibisono, who was currently running for Mayor. There was no further explanation about the nature of their relationship; however, Vera felt something was amiss. Jonathan was a prosecutor who had previously handled a case concerning the death of a relative of the mayoral candidate.Damn! Why am I only remembering this now?! Vera cursed herself for being so preoccupied that she forgot this important detail. Jonathan surely had good connections with Anthony because of that.Then, for some reason, everything became clearer to Vera. "Such a disgusting coincidence!" she cursed again, but there was a faint smile on her lips.Without waiting long, she immediately went to the office where Jonathan worked. She wanted to verify a few things there, especially what kind of cooperation they might be doing. She had started her car, but suddenly something stopp

• Chapter 28

  There was a struggle between Vera and Jonathan, but Vera tried to avoid excessive physical attacks as much as possible because it could lead to legal issues later on. From her experiences, Vera couldn't be violent beyond what was necessary to save a victim or defend herself. She already had evidence in her hands and she couldn't afford to dirty her hands.Vera stared at Jonathan expressionlessly, as he tried to ambush her, she managed to dodge and threw her body backward. She successfully launched a kick to Jonathan's back."You damn bitch!" Jonathan cursed as his body collapsed forward, landing on the floor. Before he could get up, Vera restrained his hands behind his back. Then, she felt something hooking onto her wrist. "What are you doing, you bitch?! Let me go!"Vera tied a brown scarf around Jonathan's wrists. "Stay quiet while I'm still being gentle with you," she said emphatically. She tightly bound his hands and fastened the remaining scarf to the dining table leg. "Just beca

• Chapter 27

  Santiago watched Vera leave as the evening approached. He wondered what the woman had been doing to spend quite a long time in a place like this."You said you talked to her, didn't you?" Bobby approached Santiago, who had been standing silently by the corridor, his gaze directed towards the woman earlier.Santiago blinked, momentarily confused about what Bobby was talking about, but seeing the man's gaze directed at Vera, who had now disappeared around the corridor, Santiago could guess where Bobby knew about this from. He sighed deeply. It was indeed hard to believe; next time, Santiago wouldn't speak carelessly to Sandy."Yes. I did talk to her." Santiago then turned around, walking away with Bobby following behind him."And then? Is she willing to help you?" Bobby looked very curious. His short steps quickened to keep pace with Santiago. "She's a great attorney. I've seen her on some TV news. She always wins every case, even though she's still young, she's very professional and bri

• Chapter 26

  Santiago appeared agitated, his face reflecting immense confusion. He knew that languishing in prison was one of the many hardships he had to endure in life. His world had already turned dark, devoid of hope, and the only reason he clung to life was because he still breathed. The rest of the time, he only thought about finding a place to sleep, eat, and relieve himself every morning.His body remained motionless as Vera resumed her investigation in the room. Santiago pondered repeatedly on what he had just heard from her. "What if I accept your offer this time?"Vera fell silent for a few seconds upon hearing this, then proceeded to ignore Santiago again."What if I rely on you to free me from this garbage place?" Santiago's hands clenched tightly. His words were not just empty talk; he even dared to hope for a better life."I'm busy," Vera replied shortly."I'm not asking for it now. After you're done with all this, I will--"Vera stood up, turning to face Santiago with her eyes wide

• Chapter 25

  Santiago was forced to leave his old prison cell. He and his companions moved to a new cell. Throughout it, Santiago showed no concern whatsoever with what was happening, even though their new cell seemed narrower and in quite poor condition.The roof was cracked, with water seepage likely from the water pipes because it wasn't raining outside. Then, the walls were already moldy, with disgusting greenish spots, not to mention the bathroom which resembled a garbage disposal. Whatever this place used to be, it was truly inhumane."I prefer our old place," Sandy began to complain. He leaned his head on Bobby's shoulder, who also showed disapproval of their current situation."Why is the world unfair, even when we're serving time in prison?" Sandy continued with teary eyes."Because this is a prison, so we are indeed punished with what you call unfair, stupid!" Bobby stepped away from Sandy's side suddenly, almost causing the young man to stumble. "Enough, this has become our fate."In th

• Chapter 24

  This time they managed to evade the prison guards. Santiago's injuries weren't too severe because he dodged nearly every blow. He had been a punching bag so many times that he could anticipate the direction of each punch thrown at him. He dodged several times, pretending to be hit until he groaned in pain. He even threw himself to the ground when about to get kicked in the back and head. He did all this almost half-consciously as if his body could read every move of his enemies."I think that's enough," one of them said. His face looked satisfied seeing Santiago lying curled up, protecting his head. "See you another time, punk!" The man's departure was followed by his friends.Santiago, who had been pretending to close his eyes while groaning in fear, suddenly changed his facial expression. He sighed while sitting up, propping himself up with both hands behind him. He looked up at the darkening sky. "Damn Bastards!"He stretched his stiff neck, then did a little stretching on his arm

• Chapter 23

  "Miss Vera!"The woman stopped in her tracks as she was about to leave the prison corridor. She and Santiago both witnessed their hurried arrival."Miss Vera," he called again."What?""Explain everything to me."Vera glanced at the Guard who had accompanied her during the visit. She signaled for him to leave them alone. Initially, the man seemed reluctant, but after Vera convinced him, now it was just the two of them.After the gate was closed, Vera began to speak, "What do you want to hear?""Is it true that Uncle Agus did it? That's impossible, isn't it?"Vera sighed deeply. "I can't discuss this with you.""Why? I've told you everything I know. Now it's your turn, Miss Attorney!""Hey, troublemaker. That's not how it works—oh my! I'm tired of all this case, why are you adding to the fuss?" Vera started to get annoyed with Santiago's temper."I have the right to know.""No. From the beginning, this case has nothing to do with you. You only involve yourself because of useless empath

• Chapter 22

  That morning, Santiago and his four inmate friends went out of their cells to do morning exercises together. Inmate number 1333, Agus Suryanto, asked for permission not to go out, citing illness.No one thought much of it until Sandy went to check on Agus to make sure he ate and took his medicine, and everything happened. Agus tied his neck with a thin blanket and hung himself from the ceiling.Of course, this was very shocking and distressing for Sandy. Santiago felt sorry for Sandy, who still looked gloomy."I thought he just had the flu as usual," Sandy said as they were on the field. Rio, Boby, and Santiago also looked remorseful and couldn't believe that this would happen to their fellow inmate."I feel sorry for Uncle Agus. He hasn't been talking much lately, and I should have talked to him more often." Sandy's tears were about to fall, but he tried to hold them back. He had cried too much today."It's not your fault. Who would have guessed that someone next to him would die lik

• Chapter 21

  "So?" Vera still waited for her client to speak. It turned out that the woman's family issues were not as simple as she had thought. After a long silence, Vera finally prodded gently, "Remaining silent won't bring any changes, Mrs. Andeen. You—forget about yourself, have you ever thought about your daughter's fate?""What? How do you—""Your own daughter is speaking to me. She's asking for help to save you, Mrs. Andeen."Instantly, tears flowed down Mrs. Andeen's cheeks, and sobs filled the air. It seemed that the woman didn't know that her daughter had been observing her and her husband all along."How can she say such things?" she cried in anguish. "I have tried to appear fine in front of my daughter. I have always told her to stay in her room with earphones or play outside with her friends. But—""It's possible that your daughter has seen and heard your arguments and your injuries." Vera glanced at the bruises on Mrs. Andeen's wrists and neck."Oh, my poor daughter! Oh, dear God..