[ Sinking ] || A Colby Brock Fanfiction

Chapter 32

Note: This fanfiction does not follow the timeline of the TFIL videos or the videos from the channels from the mentioned YouTubers. In this fanfiction, they STILL live in that big mansion as roommates.

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Third Person

"No one outside ourselves can rule us inwardly. When we know this, we become free." -Budha

Two pairs of Lockharts sat across one another, one pair smiling smugly at the other pair while they simply sat in silence, showing nothing to their biological parents. Francine, despite being a nervous wreck, managed to look calm with the help of her brother who held her trembling hands underneath the desk. Julianne and Kenneth sat beside them as their lawyers and support.

As soon as the judge from their previous hearing arrived, the hearing commenced and the usual procedures were followed. Things that were discussed during the first trial were summarized briefly before Atty. Kenneth was called up to state Francine's response to the video.

"We have taken a copy of the video with the permission of the jury and had it checked by a professional editor." Atty. Kenneth started then proceeded on showing the screen shots of the video. Everyone in the court started at the presented images, analyzing what the lawyer was able to see in the images. In just a few moments, someone from the jury gasped in realization and started to share his observation to the other members of the jury. "According to the expert that checked the authenticity of the video, this is in fact, edited.

As some of you were able to spot in the screenshots, although the faces of Cassidy and John Lockhart are evidently clear, 'Francine's' face is indeed blurred out despite being in the same frame." Murmurs filled the room as people realize the fault in the images presented. "Thankfully, our expert was able to clear up the video and sent us screenshots where 'Francine's' face is as clear as the Lockharts'." He presented the next set of images as he did to Francine before.

People in the room gasped. They saw similarities, truly, however they could tell that the Francine in the video was different from the real Francine that sat silently beside her brother.

"No!" Cassidy screamed out in rage and John was not able to stop her as he was dealing with his own anger by sending deadly glares to the two siblings across the court.

"Your honor, I would like to call a witness to the stand." Atty. Kenneth requested. The judge gave the couple a warning before allowing the lawyer to continue. "I would like to call Hazel Johnson up to the witness stand."

At the mention of the name, the couple paled and slumped in their seats in disbelief. The called ravenette got out of her seat and nervously headed to the witness stand. The procedure for the witness was followed through before Atty. Kenneth started with his questions.

"Miss Hazel, I will get straight to the point. Will you please tell us what Cassidy and John Lockhart asked you to do and when it happened?"

"It was the day after the birthday of Francine." Hazel started nervously. Her voice was trembling and she kept of fiddling with her fingers on top of her lap. "Before the news about her hospitalization came out, Cassidy and John found me while I was working as a waitress in a restaurant. That day, I was told that my mother needed a heart transplant as soon as possible or she might not last for half a year. I was not able to find a job as an aspiring actress so I had to work multiple hours to earn for my mom's operation. I guess they noticed that I looked troubled and offered to help me."

"Of course, I was so happy that someone could help me that I almost immediately said yes. They told me that they were giving me a chance to 'audition' and gave me very specific instructions on how to act. They took me to their house and told me that I had to wear the dress that Francine wore on her birthday the day before and that they would be filming me through the security camera. I thought it was weird that they want me to act like their daughter, but I needed the money so I did not ask. anything." She glanced at Francine's direction and when she met her eyes, she slightly relaxed under Francine's soft smile. Hazel got filled with determination as she recalled the all the reason for this court trial.

"I don't even know you!" Cassidy screamed in rage, causing the judge to slam his gavel down once again and give her a second warning.

She was furious.

"It was after the so-called audition when Miss Cassidy asked me to sign a contract and handed me a large amount of money. I had a quick glance on the papers and saw that it was a contract for me to keep my silence about the video they had taken." Hazel wiped a stray tear away as her guilt rose. "All I could think of was my mother and I signed the contract." Atty. Kenneth projected a document on the screen where the signatures of Hazel and the Lockhart couple were clearly on the paper. The contents of the contract was visible to everyone. Whispers filled the room as the Lockhart couple screamed out their screams of protest.

Francine's stance has been solidified.

Cassidy and John were doomed.

Hazel concluded her stance and was escorted back to her seat, all the while ignoring the angry protests of the raging couple across the room. Francine gave her a nod of appreciation when their eyes met, allowing relief to wash over Hazel's body. The judge asked the defendant's lawyer if they had anything more to say, however, due to the loud and angry protests of Cassidy and John, their lawyer shook his head.

The judge then said, "Jurors, you will now retire to the jury room to deliberate. First pick one of you as the leader of your group. When you have reached a verdict, please let the Bailiff know. Bailiff, please take charge of the jury." The 12 members of the jury stood and the Bailiff escorted them out to the jury room.

The tension in the room was heavy and was slowly suffocating. Francine and Levin had held each others hands, comforting one another as they wait. Everyone in the room was anxious.

A minute or two later, the jurors entered the room once again, escorted by the Bailiff. The judge asked, "Will the jury foreperson please stand?" One the jurors that sat a the front stood from his seat. "Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?"

The foreperson cleared his throat and responded, "Yes." He handed the verdict form to the clerk, who then had passed the form to the judge. The judge read through the paper silently, nodding every now and then on ints contents. After reading through its entire content, the judge passed the form back to the clerk for the reading of the verdict.

The Clerk stood and read the words from the paper out loud, "The jury finds the defendants, guilty."