Chapter 207: Facing the Consequences

"Ting!"

Eric stepped out of the elevator to see the six girls sitting on the floor gathered around the coffee table in the living room, including Monica, who looked like she had been helped down from her wheelchair. He approached them in a calm, relaxed manner, but before he reached the group, he caught the tail end of their conversation.

"Check out this article, I just sent it to all of you," Chloe said, tapping away on her smartphone.

"Ding!"

Every smartphone chimed in unison. Each girl pulled out her phone to open the link Chloe had forwarded. As Emma, Priya, Monica, Heidi, and Laura read through the piece, their initially grim expressions instantly relaxed, giving way to immense relief.

"Serves her right... she tried to smear Eric, only for it to completely backfire on her! Eat shit," Laura said, visibly annoyed.

"Seriously... I can’t believe Eric’s mother went this far just to spring his brother from prison, the guy who literally bombed Emma’s performance venue and rammed our car, injuring all of us... what a scumbag," Priya chimed in.

"I haven’t even fully recovered yet, I can’t even walk! And he thinks he gets to walk free from prison? The moment I can stand on my own two feet, I’m personally dragging him right back behind bars," Monica added angrily.

"Didn’t Eric meet up with his mother downstairs earlier?" Heidi asked.

"Yeah... that’s exactly why this article turned out the way it did! It means his mother brought reporters along to corner Eric, and the whole thing blew up right in her face! Serves her right," Emma answered.

"Honestly, it worked out for the better. Now the internet knows who’s in the right and who’s completely insane, even if there are still a few idiots defending that piece of garbage using the excuse that his mental health was unstable," Chloe countered.

"Bottom line: as soon as Eric comes back upstairs, let’s all grab dinner together and celebrate Chloe’s birthday! We’ll just order takeout so nobody has to go out—how does that sound?" Monica suggested.

"Great idea! Let’s just order out, pick a bunch of delicious meals, and eat together here at home," Priya agreed.

"After reading this article and realizing what Eric just had to go through, I don’t even feel like stepping foot outside anyway. I’m all for it," Heidi added.

"Same here... count me in. I don’t wanna cause any more trouble for Eric," Laura joined in.

"So, should we hit back at those comments in the screenshots circulating on social media? There are still a few people pointing fingers at Eric, right?" Emma asked.

"Heck yeah! Let me at ’em, we’re going full guerrilla warfare on those rude comments right now," Heidi barked, cracking her knuckles.

"What about that GoFundMe campaign? The one supposedly raising money for legal fees to fight ’unjust accusations and an exaggerated misunderstanding’?" Priya asked.

"About that, I talked to my dad, he’s taking it down so no one else donates. Good thing it only reached $200," Monica answered.

"No need, Katie’s already handled everything. Don’t worry about replying to those comments, just relax, all of you."

Hearing Eric’s voice behind them, all six girls whipped their heads around, their faces turning completely pale. Caught up in their intense discussion, none of them had noticed Eric standing right behind them. Eric strolled over and took a seat between Monica and Emma as the six girls stared at him in stunned silence.

"How long have you been standing back there?" Chloe asked timidly.

"Since you guys opened the article," Eric replied with a grin.

"Hey... why didn’t you say anything?! You should’ve let us know you were behind us!" Heidi huffed.

"Seriously! You should’ve spoken up!" Priya added.

"Sorry... I just wanted to see what you guys get up to when I’m not looking, haha," Eric teased.

"Ugh... you jerk! Making us look like fools!" Monica groaned, playfully nudging Eric with her elbow.

"Hehe... alright, alright. So what are we eating tonight, babe? Like we planned, we’re staying in," Emma said, wrapping her arm around Eric’s.

"Hmm... whatever you guys want, just name it," Eric replied softly.

With that, they began scrolling through food delivery options on their smartphones, cheerfully placing orders amidst lively debates and loud laughter, completely moving past the drama as if nothing had happened. Once the food was ordered,

"So, three months from now is the end of the year... do we have any holiday plans?" Eric asked.

All the girls turned to look at Eric in surprise, suddenly realizing that in just two short months, the year would be coming to a close.

"Oh... two months away, huh? No wonder the autumn chill is setting in," Monica murmured, just realizing the date.

"Where do you wanna go, babe?" Priya asked.

"Yeah... wherever you go, we’re tagging along," Laura added.

"Hmm... what do you think? Just staying home to watch the snowfall?" Chloe asked.

"Sounds good to me! Honestly, I’m too lazy to travel... staying home where it’s warm sounds amazing, hehe," Heidi chimed in.

"I’m fine with whatever! I haven’t really traveled anywhere before, but our place is right in the business district, close to the town square—we could just take a stroll over there," Emma suggested.

"Hmm... alright, let’s plan it out slowly," Eric said. "If I take them to the tropics on a private jet... I wonder if they’d be up for it?" Eric thought to himself.

And just like that, the topic shifted as they began eagerly discussing their first end-of-year holiday together.

***

A week later, at the district courthouse, Eric attended Jason’s preliminary criminal trial alongside Caleb and Mike. The three sat toward the back of the gallery, present strictly to listen as the district attorney read the official indictment. Shortly after taking their seats, they watched as Jason was escorted into the courtroom by two bailiffs and an officer.

Eric and Caleb were taken aback by Jason’s appearance in his orange jumpsuit as he was led inside. His body had become gaunt, causing him to hunch over slightly, his hair was a matted mess, a thick unkempt beard covered his jawline, his Adam’s apple protruded sharply, and his eyes were bloodshot with heavy dark bags beneath them. The man standing before them looked nothing like the proud, arrogant Jason they once knew.

Jason took his seat at the defense table. Directly behind him sat Vanessa, weeping quietly and looking years older than she had just a week prior. Beside her sat a clean-cut, middle-aged man with thinning hair, a firm build, and handsome features, though he looked thoroughly exhausted, looking as if he would rather be anywhere else on earth. He gently rubbed Vanessa’s back in an attempt to comfort her. Catching sight of the man, Eric turned to Caleb beside him, giving a subtle nod toward the pair.

"Looks like your dad came along to keep my mom company," Eric whispered to Caleb.

"Yeah... I see him. He’s not even trying to hide it anymore, huh? Unbelievable bastard... I feel so sorry for my mom," Caleb muttered, shooting a cold, sharp glare at his father, David.

"Oh, by the way, Jade’s arriving shortly with Uncle Martin and Ruby. She just texted me," Mike chimed in, showing them his smartphone screen.

"Oh yeah? How come Jade didn’t ride over with you?" Eric asked.

"She wasn’t planning on coming at first, but Ruby begged her to tag along because she felt awkward being here with just her dad. So... yeah, she had no choice," Mike answered.

"Well... that makes sense. Coming to court, seeing her older brother sitting up front, seeing us and her dad on this side... and then seeing her mom and uncle over there, it’d be weird if she didn’t feel awkward. Declining wasn’t really an option without hurting her dad’s feelings, so Ruby was stuck in a tough spot," Caleb noted.

"Forget her, I’d feel awkward as hell coming here alone too! That’s why I dragged you and Mike along. This is my first time in a courtroom, and the guy sitting at the defense table is my own brother. Plus, I’m the one who filed the charges with the prosecutor... there was no way I couldn’t show up," Eric said.

"Tell me about it. Avery wanted to tag along with Abby too, but I put my foot down... why bring a baby to court? Out of her mind," Caleb said with a chuckle.

Eric and Mike let out quiet laughs. Moments later, Jade, Ruby, and Martin arrived, taking seats further up front since the row occupied by Eric, Caleb, and Mike was completely full. Upon sitting down, Jade looked visibly tense; she glanced back toward Caleb, giving him a look that signaled she had spotted their father. Caleb simply nodded back, mouthing the words, "I know."

Meanwhile, Ruby kept herself busy talking to Martin, who continuously glanced over at his eldest son and his ex-wife seated behind him. Martin looked five years older than when he had first arrived, but his eyes remained as sharp and stern as ever. Before long, the jury began filing into the box, followed by the prosecution and Jason’s defense team, a panel of five attorneys who sat quietly observing. Then,

"All rise for the Honorable Court!"

The bailiff’s voice echoed across the room. Everyone in the gallery stood up as the judge entered and walked to his bench. Once the judge, a stern, sternly-built elderly man, took his seat,

"You may be seated."

The bailiff announced, and everyone in the courtroom sat back down. Complete silence fell over the gallery as the judge officially opened the proceedings and gave the floor to the district attorney to read the charges. Eric, Caleb, and Mike listened intently as the formal indictment was read aloud, while Jason sat motionless at the defense table, his head hung low.