I'm Trying To Go Broke, So Why Do I Keep Getting Richer?!-Chapter 205: Verdict

"We have heard enough from the... ’specialized’ task force for one moment," the Chief Justice said with clenched teeth, his middle pair of eyes blinking rapidly, a clear sign of a skyrocketing blood pressure.

He turned his gaze toward Leo, then to the trembling Trent, and finally back to Leo.

"And as for you, Mr. Reo," the Justice continued, his voice trembling with the effort of maintaining dignity. "While we appreciate your... fervent defense of our intellectual capacity, we would prefer it if you didn’t mention pigs in the example?Especially in relation to our knees."

Leo bowed so low it was borderline athletic. "My deepest apologies, Your Honor. My associate, Trent, is a little foolish sometimes. He can’t control his mouth, but I assure you, that he didn’t mean anything by it."

"I shall ensure he spends his weekend reflecting on his actions. As a compensation to the judges, perhaps I can have him send a gift basket? I hear the sector’s finest truffles are quite tasty."

The more these judges heard from Leo, the more headache they felt. Was this man really innocent to not realize what was being conveyed? Was he really serious, or was he simply acting?

Unfortunately, they didn’t know much about this young human to be certain about that. They could only give him the benefit of the doubt.

Trent, who was currently trying to merge with his chair through sheer willpower, simply let out a high-pitched squeak.

The Watchdog representative finally found his voice, though it was several pitches higher than before. "Your Honors! This is a mockery! He is using baseless conjecture and character assassination to deflect from the fact that a high-value prisoner is missing!"

"A prisoner you lost," Leo pointed out helpfully, turning to the audience with a look of bewilderment. "I’m sorry, I keep getting confused. Is this a trial for my brother’s alleged crimes, or a public confession of your agency’s inability to operate a door lock?"

"We have protocols!" the man screamed.

"Evidently, ’losing the guy’ is Protocol Number One," Leo retorted. He then turned back to the judges, his expression melting into one of heartbreaking sincerity.

"Your Honors, I am a simple businessman. I don’t understand protocols. I only understand the results. The result here is a missing human and a very expensive bill for lawyers who, as you can see, are currently doing a wonderful job of sitting very still."

One of the Alpha Corp lawyers, sensing he needed to earn his astronomical hourly rate, gave a solemn, practiced nod. It was the most expensive nod in the history of the sector.

The Chief Justice leaned back, whispering furiously with the other two judges. The words "PR nightmare," "Galactic Union," and "Do I really look like a pig?" floated faintly toward the front row.

After a long discussion amongst the judges, the Chief Justice straightened his robes.

"This Court finds the... narrative provided by the Watchdog Agency to be... structurally challenged. It’s especially the case since they have failed to provide any footage of the escape, no matter the reason. Failing to find the target even after so long, further brings their act into question."

"To suggest that a human escaped a maximum-security transport, without a single frame of surveillance footage, while simultaneously accusing the family of hosting a secret hideout without evidence..."

He paused, glancing at Leo, who was currently dabbing a non-existent tear with a silk handkerchief.

"...is an insult to the very concept of logic. We are not dismissing the charges against the missing individual, but as for the harassment of Alpha Corp and the demands for ’unrestricted access’ to Earth’s sovereign territory..."

The Justice looked at the Galactic Union representatives that were silently watching. He shifted his gaze to the Watchdog representative with anger.

If these fools had given them even the slightest of evidence, except the bills that they had incurred, then he could have still sided with them.

It was because of them that their intelligence was questioned. He knew that everyone here could see the same flaws in the story that he could.

If he still stuck to defending them, then he might actually prove that he was no better than a pig.

No matter how much he wanted to teach the Galactic Union a lesson, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Alpha Corp’s motion is accepted. Furthermore, the Watchdog Agency is hereby ordered to compensate the Alpha Corp for their suffering. Its because of them, their CEO is missing."

"Until Leo Vanderlen is found, the Watchdogs are ordered to work with the Alpha Corp, helping them in whatever means they could. Moreover, if they still can’t find Leo Vanderlen, then as compensation to the Alpha Corp..."

"Your Honor?" The man from the Watchdog Headquarters exclaimed in disbelief, only for the judges to glare at him, making him sit down.

"If the Watchdogs can’t hand over Leo Vanderlen within the coming forty eight hours, then Alpha Corp shall be compensated with credits equal to the yearly expenditure of Watchdogs, unless the Alpha Corp agrees to another form of settlement."

Not just the expenditure of a branch in the space sector, but the expenditure of the entire Watchdog Agency for a year. This was a big blow to the Watchdogs.

The man couldn’t believe that he was given this judgement. If he returned with this, then he was going to be wrecked at the headquarters.

"Your Honor, please listen to us for a-" he stood up, his face growing pale.

Unfortunately, the judges had already stood up by then.

"The case is settled." Without saying anything else, the judges walked out of the celestial courtroom.

Slam!

The judges bolted for the side exit as if the building were on fire, likely to go check their reflections for any pig-like features.

Leo remained standing, the picture of grace. He waited until the doors swung shut before leaning over to Trent.

"See?" Leo whispered, his eyes filled with mischief. "That’s how you use their bias against themselves..."