Chapter 98 Clipping Wings

The Butler County courthouse was an old, gray-white building, its stone steps worn smooth and shiny by countless feet.

Above the main entrance of the courthouse, the words "Equal Justice Under Law" were engraved, giving it a somewhat solemn appearance.

Jessica was dressed in a navy blue suit, her hair pulled up, and she wore a pair of silver-rimmed glasses.

This outfit was the last wearable piece of professional attire she had brought back from New York, and it was also her favorite from her time on Wall Street.

The only difference from New York was the lack of Wolford stockings; she wasn't considering such expensive, consumable items for the time being.

Judge Catherine Hayes's office was at the end of the second-floor hallway. After Jessica knocked, a low female voice came from inside: "Come in."

Judge Hayes sat behind her desk, her hair gray and meticulously combed, with deep wrinkles on her face.

Her desk was piled high with documents, an open law book lay to her right, and a cup of cold coffee sat to her left.

"Hello, Judge Hayes." Jessica walked up to the desk, took the kraft paper envelope out of her bag, and handed it over with both hands.

"I am Jessica Scott, legal counsel for Richard Miller."

"I am here today to submit supplementary materials regarding the bail application for Jimmy Williams."

Judge Hayes took the envelope but didn't open it immediately, instead glancing at Jessica first.

"Are you a local?" Her voice was neither high nor low, carrying the unique authority of a judge.

"Yes, Your Honor. I was born and raised in Oxford Town."

"Columbia Law School?" Hayes's gaze fell on Jessica's resume. "Sherman & Sterling, Wall Street—why did you come back?"

Jessica hadn't expected Hayes to ask this question. She paused for a moment before answering truthfully, "My parents fell ill and needed care."

Hayes nodded without pressing further. She opened the envelope, pulled out the documents, and flipped through them page by page.

When she reached the first page, her eyebrows twitched slightly.

When she reached the second page, her fingers paused.

When she reached the third page, she looked up at Jessica.

When she reached the fourth page, she set the documents down, leaned back in her chair, and remained silent for a long time.

"Ms. Scott." Hayes's voice was lower than before. "When did you start preparing these materials?"

"From the day Jimmy Williams was arrested." Jessica's answer was crisp and direct.

"My client, Richard Miller, is the victim's father. He has the right to know whether the person who killed his son poses a risk to society again."

"So you collected all of this?"

"Yes, Your Honor. My duty is to protect my client's legal rights, which includes ensuring that the trial process is fair, transparent, and free from interference."

"Free from interference?" Hayes picked up the chat logs of the cellmate and shook them. "What impact do you think this document will have on the bail application?"

Jessica took a deep breath; she knew this was a trap.

If she said it would influence the judge's judgment, it would imply that the judge could be swayed by external factors.

If she said it wouldn't have an impact, then her reason for submitting these materials would be invalidated.

"Your Honor, I believe the impact of this material is for you to decide." Jessica's tone was steady.

"My duty is simply to submit it to the court, ensuring that the court has the most complete information when making a bail decision."

Hayes looked at her, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly; she was pleased by Jessica's answer.

"You are a smart lawyer; those who return from the big city really are different." Hayes placed the documents back on the desk. "I will read the materials, and I have also received the defense's bail application."

"I will announce my decision in court at next Wednesday's bail hearing."

"Before then, I hope you will not make any comments to the media regarding these materials."

"I understand, Your Honor." Jessica nodded. "My client also hopes the case will be resolved fairly within the legal framework and does not want it to be sensationalized by the media."

Hayes looked at her again. "You may leave."

Jessica turned and walked to the door. Just as her hand touched the doorknob, Hayes's voice came from behind her.

"Ms. Scott."

Jessica turned around.

"Tell your client, Richard Miller, that I have heard about his son."

Hayes's voice lowered slightly. "Not from the materials, but from the news."

"I was very saddened after that incident occurred."

Jessica looked at her, remained silent for two seconds, and then said softly, "Thank you, Your Honor."

Then she pushed the door open and walked out.

Jessica left the courthouse. She stood on the steps, took a deep breath, and then took out her phone to send a message to Mu Xin:

"The materials have been submitted. Judge Hayes read them and didn't express a stance, but she mentioned Richard's son and said she was very saddened."

Mu Xin replied instantly: "When is the bail hearing?"

"Next Wednesday."

"Good. Before next Wednesday, let's turn up the heat on the defense."

Jessica frowned: "What kind of heat?"

"Bruce Williams."

On the day Bruce Williams was taken away, it was drizzling in Oxford Town, and there were few people on the street.

Bruce drove his Porsche Cayenne out of Williams Manor, preparing to go to Cincinnati to meet his mistress.

Just as the car turned onto the main street, it was forced to a stop by two black SUVs sandwiching it from the front and back.

Four men in dark suits got out of the vehicles, with identification badges hanging from their chests.

The leader was a balding man in his forties, his expression as serious as if he were attending a funeral.

"Bruce Williams?" The balding man walked to the driver's side and knocked on the window.

Bruce rolled down the window, looking impatient: "What is it?"

"Ohio IRS, Criminal Investigation Division." The balding man flashed his badge. "You are suspected of tax fraud, underreporting income, and tax evasion. This is a search warrant and an arrest warrant."

He handed a piece of paper to Bruce.

Bruce's expression changed instantly, shifting from impatience to panic, and from panic to pallor.

"You must have made a mistake, right?" His voice trembled. "My taxes were all done by an accountant..."

"Your accountant has already been invited for tea by us." The balding man's tone was devoid of emotion. "Now, please get out of the car and keep your hands where I can see them."

Bruce gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white.

He wanted to make a call, find a lawyer, or call Old Williams, but his phone was on the passenger seat, and he couldn't reach it.

"Mr. Williams, don't do anything stupid." The balding man's hand rested on the holster at his waist. "Get out of the car."

Bruce took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and stepped out.

Raindrops hit his head, soaking his meticulously groomed hair.

Two tax investigators stepped forward, grabbing his arms from left and right, and shoved him into the back of the SUV.

The whole process took less than three minutes, and the street returned to silence.

But the Oxford Town forum exploded within ten minutes.