The Prosperous & The Penniless

Chapter Eight

The court date crept upon them, unfortunately. It had quietened down for a while regarding news writers and people with millions of questions which was a plus but as soon as the court date was released, they began getting crazy again.

William was really looking forward to the court date. He kept a smug look on his face which Jaxon would have happily smacked off, but he really didn't need another fight with him. Again, he didn't see him a lot as he stayed with Mariana a lot, but he sometimes felt bad as he felt he was intruding although Sam and Leo told him he was welcome. Jaxon made a point of trying to stay at home though.

Stephanie had returned home from staying with her mother. She had healed up fine and she was smiling again. William didn't apologise to her, but she didn't push him for one. Jaxon had begun to loathe both of his parents. William for obvious reasons but Stephanie because she had begun to side with his father again. Anytime they would argue she would stick up for him and agree that Jaxon was in the wrong. She even began to push the Rachel thing like Wiliam had started doing again although he wasn't sure if she knew he was only doing it to annoy him. He could only assume that she was siding with him again as she didn't want to be brutally beaten like she had been previously which he could understand a little bit, but it still annoyed him deeply. He wasn't even sure why she came back to William, she could have just stayed with her mother and away from his violent nature.

Jaxon stayed with Mariana the night before the court day, so he could be with her all day and calm her nerves. Sam and Leo were also nervous, but Jaxon could see they were trying to hide it. They didn't want to worry Mariana even more than she already was. However, they knew that things might not go their way which can end badly. No matter the outcome, Jaxon would be with Mariana making sure she was okay.

They had to be at the court rather early and everyone was tired in the morning while they got ready. This was also due to the stress that today would bring. They all dressed smartly of course and made their way to the court. Mariana and Jaxon were just there as witnesses, they weren't in any sort of trouble.

Jaxon was glad to see that the jury was equally filled with people from Downtown as it was with people from Uptown. This may go the way they wished it to go. Mariana and Jaxon sat with the other witnesses as Sam and Leo went with the people who were on trial. Jaxon had been praying all morning in his head that this would all go to plan and they would be okay.

"I'm nervous Jaxon, what if they blame my dad's?" Mariana asked grabbing his hand

"I don't know what to say, Mariana, it's a possibility," Jaxon said trying to be as reasonable as possible. He couldn't tell her that it wasn't going to happen because there was, in fact, a chance it might even though they were one hundred percent innocent.

"I know," Mariana said almost whispering

"Stay calm okay? It could go well" Jaxon said taking her hand in his own

She nodded and stayed quiet until the judge came in and it all began.

Lots of people were questioned. Jaxon and Mariana could both pick out those who were innocent and those who were not. Mariana knew those from the bad areas of Downtown and knew they were involved in the chaos that had risen the day of the protest. Most of the people who were involved in the violence were caught out which was great. Tension rose between Mariana and Jaxon when Sam was called up for questioning. He had taken the full blame for setting up the protest to protect Leo. Mariana squeezed Jaxon's hand tighter as Sam promised to tell nothing but the truth.

"Mr Brookner, to my knowledge it was you who set up this chaos that occurred on that day?" The lawyer said

"No, I set up a calm protest, unfortunately, the information about the protest got to the wrong people and it turned to chaos, that was not my doing" Sam stated