Never Judge

The hearing was long and boring, just as Cedric had expected. It was all a formality so most of the people in the room already knew the outcome.

There was just way too much evidence against the Baron family for them to defend themselves. They had also chosen to take on the wrong enemy, two of the most powerful families in the country. 

When the judge announced the verdict, Cedric could hear the members of the Baron family cry out in despair. They knew then and there that their fate had been sealed, there was no escaping no matter how hard they tried.

Cedric didn't want to linger in the courtroom, so as soon as his presence was no longer required, he excused himself and left.

He knew that Alexi would probably drop by his office to chat a little, that is if he managed to get through the media that was now at the doors clamoring for information.

"This way." Leon told Cedric as he noticed the security personnel of the courtroom couldn't hold the media back. 

"We prepared an alternate route in case something like this happened." Ian explained to Cedric as they rushed out of the building.

"Give Alexi a call, tell him about what is happening outside." Cedric instructed Ian, who simply nodded and took out his phone while rushing out the door.

Luckily there was a driveway right by the back entrance of the courtroom, and one of the security SUVs was already waiting for them.

"Sorry, you can't ride the ghost." Leon said as he got into the front seat.

"It's fine. It doesn't bother me." Cedric said with a laugh as he watched his favorite car roll up behind them. 

"It will be a distraction while we are getting you back to R Tower." Leon explained.

Cedric simply nodded as he looked out of the window. 

He could see the reporters running towards the back entrance. They clearly had spotted his car making its way there and assumed that he was inside.

"Poor John, he has to deal with that zombie apocalypse like crowd." Cedric said as he looked behind them as the reporters swarmed the convoy behind.

"It's worse now for some reason." Ian said as he finished speaking to Alexi. "I think your popularity has somehow risen again." 

"Did you get to warn Alexi and uncle Jose?" Cedric asked Ian.

"Yes, but there is no way of them avoiding the crowd, uncle Jose still needs to make a statement in front of the press. But, Katerina got out safely." Ian informed Cedric.

Cedric nodded at the news, he quickly pulled out his phone and searched for a live stream of the events at the courthouse. 

As soon as he found one he pressed play. He watched as the cameraman who seemed to be standing right infront of the podium set up for his uncle Jose scanned left and right for signs of someone approaching.

Cedric didn't have to wait long as the antique giant double doors of the court house opened and Jose Sebastian and Alexi stepped out making their way to the podium.

As the president finally stood on the podium, he waved at the crowd, catching their attention.

Jose adjusted the microphones as his son stood slightly behind him to the right. 

Alexi looked around, assessing their surroundings. To the public, Alexi seemed to be looking around, amazed at the crowd, but Cedric knew what he was looking for.

He was checking to see if his sister had made it out alright. He was also assessing the surrounding areas for threats.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak in front of you all." Jose Sebastian said in a deep and booming voice.

"Do they all practice speaking like that?" Ian asked as he looked over Cedric's shoulder to watch the live stream as well.

"The dads?" Cedric asked as he thought of how his father and all his friends had this commanding way of speaking to the crowd.

"Yeah, and Alexi, he speaks like them in public." Ian pointed out.

"I actually think they had to learn to speak in such a way that everyone stops and turns their heads in their direction." Cedric said with a laugh.

"Well that makes sense." Ian replied as he returned his focus to his phone.

"As you all know, today wasthe sentencing of members of the Baron family, including its present head, Evan Baron, who is the mayor of a small town to the south." Jose Sebastian announced. "This was a victory for our legal system, proving to us that no matter how important the wrongdoers are, they must still pay for their crimes."

An applause resonated through the crowd as Jose Sebastian praised the independent branch of government. 

"I thank you all for the support you have extended me and my family, as well as that of the Reyes Family." Jose Sebastian added. "I personally know that Cedric Reyes was pleased to hear that no one had jumped into conclusions when the video of him speaking to the Barons was first released."

The crowd clapped, as if patting themselves on the back. Cedric wanted to laugh at how hypocritical they all were. Had it been someone else or had there been more, they would have all assumed that the Baron family had been telling the truth.

"Let us continue to think critically for the sake of our nation." Jose Sebastian said as he nodded to the crowd and left.

"Uncle Jose is quite the drama king." Cedric said with a laugh as he exited the live stream on his phone and placed it away.

"That is exactly why the Sebastians are the ones in politics and not you cold hearted Reyes." Ian teased.

Cedric laughed and rolled his eyes at his assistant. 

"Cedric." Ian said as he froze, looking at his phone.

Cedric looked at his assistant and raised an eyebrow. He wondered what it could be this time. He had enough drama to last other people multiple life times.

"What?" Cedric asked, unsure if he wanted to face the next problem. "Who is coming after us this time?" Cedric grumbled. 

"This isn't bad news, it's good news." Ian said as he looked up from his phone in disbelief.. "They found Mien's mother."