Chapter 1164 Accident (IX)

• The sensational, headline-grabbing case finally went to trial. The courthouse entrance was packed shoulder to shoulder that day. Reporters of every stripe showed up, ready to cover the final verdict.
• Rumors were flying in all directions, each version claiming to know how the judge would rule. People even dug up every part of Finn Wembley's past. Someone who claimed to be a classmate from his time studying abroad painted vivid stories about Finn flaunting wealth and living a messy life, plus running loan-sharking and dealing with coke pushers—complete with photos that seemed to back it all up. Even Mr. Wembley had no idea his son, whom he’d always been so proud of, had been living like that behind his back. But he had no room left in his heart to deal with any of it. At this point, if he could somehow save Finn, he’d thank the stars.
• When Finn was brought into the courtroom, a fresh wave of shock rippled through the crowd. People were desperate to see the real face of this so-called legend, but they were just as stunned by the contrast with the glossy reports. On paper, he’d looked polished, charming. The man who appeared before them now, after just a few days, was a wreck—skin and bones, eyes sunken, spirit in tatters. He could barely walk without the bailiffs dragging him along. Mr. Wembley’s eyes filled with tears.