Heartless People |Book 3|

Chapter 3

"Our trials, our sorrows, and our grieves develop us."

—Orison Swett Marden

LISA

"Do you understand, Ms. Manoban?" my lawyer, Dillon DiMarco, asked me.

I pulled my gaze from my son for a moment. He was chewing on his own fist with not a care in the world as he sat in Victoria's lap. However, Mina held onto one his hands. I tried not to make my blatant disapproval of that known. The family knew how I felt about her, but now was not the time to harp on my preferences. I had him in my sights and that was all that mattered. He was like a magnet to my eyes, I couldn't keep them from him for more than a few seconds. He looked like a mini Mr. Clean in a suit; his bald head even had a glint.

"Ms. Manoban?" DiMarco asked again, and the army of lawyers all paused their shuffling to stare at me. "I know this can be quite daunting. But I will do everything in my power to get you out of here."

Everything in his power. If only he knew how worthless his power was to me.

"Don't smile or laugh because the jury will think I'm not taking the situation seriously. Don't be too serious or cold, because then they will think I'm heartless. Find a balance and set my face to it. Yes, I understand." I didn't know how that was humanly possible, but I understood.

Turning back to Ethan, Victoria took one of his chubby arms and made him wave at me. His eyes stared directly at me and he smiled so wide I couldn't help but smile back. I'm not sure if he knew who I was or if he was just a happy baby, either way, seeing him made life worth living again. Victoria grinned as well, then turned to face me and I shook my head at the black T-shirt she wore with my face on it. Nickhun must have loved that one. She looked healthier than the last time I saw her, but she still had a scarf on her head.

Nickhun rolled his eyes at me before he unzipped his jacket to show me that he was wearing one as well. Oh God. Thankfully my father and Bambam had enough sense to wear suits.

But when I took better look at them I noticed the buttons pinned to the lapels of their jacket suits. It seemed as if the only person not wearing 'Free Lisa' paraphernalia was Mina. In fact, she didn't even look as if she wanted to be here. Her hair was pulled back making her face look icier than normal. She shook her head at me before returning her attention to my son. I wanted to snap her ugly neck, but again, it was not the time, nor the place.

My mother pointed to my neck signaling me to fix my tie. She and Victoria had dropped off a brand new suit for me, along with a deep green tie. It was odd how even with all the clothing I had on, I still felt naked without my ring on. It had been taken when I was arrested, and I wouldn't be able to get my personal effects back until after this sham of a trial was over. I fixed the tie as she directed, and she smiled and gave me a thumbs up. Sometimes we were so Brady Bunch it made me sick.

The entire family was here...all but one. Looking towards the door, I noticed for the first time all the cameras directed at me. There had to be at least twelve leading news stations here, covering 'Lisa Manoban; The Billionaire Murderer.'

"Show time," DiMarco said, as he buttoned up his suit jacket.

I looked at him with a raised brow.

This was a show to you?

"Please rise, the Honorable Judge Kelly Weston presiding," the bailiff called out, and we all stood.

Fuck.

She was a short woman with simple features and stringy dark hair. People who were short always overcompensated in other ways. Most likely she was a hardass.