NovelEnglishChapter 246 Serena's icy gaze landed on Bella's face, then slid downward to the faint red marks still visible on her neck. Bella shrank back, fear flickering across her features.
Sensing this, Penelope quickly stepped between them, shielding Bella behind her. Her tone was gentle, but the protectiveness in her eyes was unmistakable. "Serena, don't take it out on your little sister. She's young-she doesn't know any better." Serena's lips curled in a faint, knowing smile.
She'd heard that excuse so many times it felt worn thin.
Ever since their father passed away, Penelope had taken both Tyler Brooks and Bella into their home.
And every single tBella bullied her, Penelope would say the sthing.
"Let's head inside," Serena said to William.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWilliam gave a slight nod, glancing briefly at Penelope and Bella before letting Serena guide him into the courthouse.
Watching them, jealousy flickered in Bella's eyes.
She didn't actually want to marry William-the man in the wheelchair-but seeing him with Serena still made her stomach twist with envy.
If only William hadn't ended up like this. If only he wasn't confined to that chair.
Things would be so different.
"Let's go in too," Nestor Leighton said quietly.
Penelope nodded, though her steps wavered with hesitation.
After a pause, she followed Nestor Leighton through the courthouse doors.
The hearing was scheduled for nine-thirty.
Serena sat at the defendant's table, glancing at the clock on the wall, then toward the entrance.
It was already twenty-five past, and Giles still hadn't arrived.
Had he changed his mind? Sensing Serena's anxiety, William, seated behind her, leaned in and spoke softly, his voice reassuring. "Don't worry. Giles is a man of his word. If he promised you, he'll be here. Besides, I sent Finn to pick him up just in case." Serena relaxed a little, comforted by William's calm, steady presence.
But as the minutes ticked by, Giles still didn't show.
The judge looked down at Serena from the bench. "Miss, is your lawyer not here yet?" Bella couldn't help but giggle. "Maybe he heard we hired Nestor Leighton and got scared off." Nestor Leighton's lips curled into a sly smile.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut the judge rapped his gavel, the sharp sound cutting through the courtroom. "Order!" He turned his attention back to Serena. "If your attorney does not arrive soon, I will have to appoint someone for you-" "He's here!" A warm, confident voice echoed through the room.
Every head turned in surprise.
It was William.
Even Bella's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, Mr. William-you're Serena's lawyer now?"
William rolled his wheelchair forward asotking to Serena's side, looking up at the judge with calm assurance. "That's right. I'll be representing the defendant."
The judge looked skeptical. "Miss, is this gentleman really your attorney?" Serena's mind buzzed with nerves. She glanced at William, searching his face. He offered her a small, reassuring smile, his eyes shining with quiet resolve.
Serena squeezed her hands into fists and, without a moment's hesitation, nodded firmly. "Yes. He's my lawyer." "Very well," the judge said, banging the gavel once more. "Court is now in session!" Serena's heart pounded as she looked at William, anxiety twisting in her stomach.
Across the aisle, Nestor Leighton lifted his chin, wearing the smug grin of a rooster who thought he'd already won. If this were a business deal, William would crush him without contest.
But this was a courtroom.
And here even the famous William Brooks might just be out of his depth.
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