"So, what are you going to do about the mole?"

"Catch it, of course."

The quiet hum of the hovercraft filled the silence that followed Devyn's short response to Miren's inquiry as the demon and two humans made their way to the courthouse where the trial regarding Wil's assault was to be held. Denzyl remained silent while Devyn and Miren discussed plans to capture the mole who leaked the suggestive article to the news publishers.

"Are you sure you want to wait until after the results of the trial are released?" Miren asked the CEO who was sitting across from her. "I could have them taken down within the hour. We have the evidence."

"I want to wait and see just how loyal they are to Wil," Devyn replied coolly.

"Are you going to give them a second chance?" Miren inquired with a raised brow. She was not the fondest of allowing the mole a chance to prove themself.

"No, I am just curious," Devyn answered with a slight shake of his head. "Very well," Miren nodded in response before confirming, "I will set the plan to begin with the conclusion of the trial."

"Thank you, Miren." Devyn showed his gratitude for Miren's efforts with a kind smile and nod of his head before looking down at the tablet in his hands and checking his schedule to make sure he was ready for the day.

The remainder of the flight to the courthouse was silent as Devyn prepared to face the numerous cameras and interviewers who were waiting at the steps of the skyscraper that housed the courthouse. Spotlights were turned to the hovercraft as it came to a stop, and flashes lit up the city as the door to the craft opened and each news agency fought to capture a headlining image of the trending CEO.

The case being heavily publicized, the citizens of Daedoeshi demanded for the trial to be expedited, so the date was moved to the earliest day and time possible. Due to the popularity of the case, the trial was also to be aired live on several platforms and news sites.

As soon as Devyn set foot outside the courthouse, security guards surrounded the vehicle and forged a path through the small but dense crowd. Denzyl was extremely careful to shield his love from the swarming reporters as he and Miren followed the leading guard and pushed through the crowd. The avex made sure no reporter was able to come near as he guided Devyn up the steps of the courthouse. All throughout the three's journey to the entrance, the multiple reporters battered the young CEO with loud, prodding questions.

"Would you care to give a statement on how you are feeling today, Mr. Vaumyr?" "What are your thoughts on going to trial against your fiancé?" "What do you hope to gain from the trial?" "Please say a few words for us, Mr. Vaumyr!" "Are you aware of the popularity of this trial?"

Once at the top of the steps, Miren turned to the excited reporters and addressed the crowd that was being kept at the bottom of the steps by the line of security guards. "Thank you for coming today; we appreciate your support throughout this process. Mr. Vaumyr will not be giving any statements or accepting any interviews at the moment. Have a nice day." As soon as she concluded her address, Miren entered the courthouse and joined Devyn and Denzyl as they were screened and checked at the security point prior to being ushered to their personal waiting room where they met with Devyn's legal team.

"Mr. Vaumyr," Attorney Webb greeted the CEO in a light bow. "I trust you had a safe flight."

"I did, thank you," Devyn responded after returning the bow. "Shall we get to business?" The CEO inquired as he, Miren, and Denzyl approached the table beside which the attorneys were standing.

"Of course," Marina agreed with a courteous smile before taking her seat at the table. "Let us refresh ourselves on the plan of intent for today," Attorney Webb stated as she and her three comrades activated their tablets and began reiterating the objective of the first trial day.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

"Ready?" Miren asked softly as she, Denzyl, and Devyn stood outside the doors to the courtroom. Devyn took in a breath and slowly released it before giving the redhead a nod. Upon the signal from Devyn, Miren gave the go to the two guards standing on either side of the large set of black walnut doors. Once the doors were opened, Devyn, Miren, and Denzyl followed Marina and her team in entering the courtroom.

Observers and onlookers had already filled the courtroom and watched the group of seven advance down the marble-plated aisle and take their seats on the left half of the court where the jury box was stationed. Cameras were activated at the arrival of the plaintiff and his team, and quiet whispers filtered through the room as Devyn sat with Marina and Ithan at the plaintiff's table which was placed just beyond a short railing that separated the plaintiff and his legal team from the observers. Denzyl and Miren were joined by Qwin and Ayden in sitting in the row of seats situated behind the table and right against the front side of the railing.

Once the team had been seated, Marina and Ithan began situating their notes, statements, and questions while a courtroom assistant came with glasses of water for the three sitting at the plaintiff's table. After a few minutes, a security guard approached the plaintiff's table and informed the three, "The defendant will arrive in a few minutes."

"Thank you," Marina thanked the guard for the warning before turning to Devyn. "Please prepare to see Wil Kossen, Mr. Vaumyr." Devyn responded to the attorney with a nod before taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. After a few minutes, the seven's attention was drawn to the side door on the right side of the back wall where the judge's station was situated. Devyn held his breath as the defendant was led into the room dressed in a neon yellow jumpsuit with high-security cuffs around his wrists and ranged shackles on his ankles that allowed him to make only tiny shuffles along the marble floor.

Wil's head was turned to the ground as he watched his feet shuffle along the smooth marble. The defendant did not lift his head until he had reached the table that was stationed on the right half of the courtroom. Before sitting, Wil floated his piercing eyes over the audience in the room until they landed on the green-eyed man sitting in the plaintiff's chair. But what caught the blonde's eye was not the plaintiff, but rather the grey-eyed man sitting directly behind Devyn. The moment Wil's eyes landed on Denzyl, a shriek erupted from his thin lips, and the deranged man began flailing and trying to escape from the nightmare who continued to glare at him with steel eyes.

The two guards who were escorting Wil immediately attempted to subdue the defendant who was wailing and trying to flee the demon who had haunted his every waking moment since the night of the assault. Wil's mouth was parted in fear, and his eyes rolled back into his head as he pointed at the grey-eyed man and desperately tried to notify the guards of the presence of a demon in their courtroom. But only garbled, incoherent sounds escaped Wil's lips.

Devyn's brows furrowed as he looked at the man who used to be so domineering and tyrannizing but was now no more than a terrified child who could not even say his own name. The sight confused Devyn. How had the man, who had instilled deep terror in him, fallen so low? What happened to you? Devyn had heard reports of Wil losing his mind, but he had yet to see Wil and had not realized the severity of his insanity. All lingering traces of fear left Devyn as he watched Wil Kossen, the prior high and mighty CEO of Viant, cry like a child in front of millions.

A satisfied smirk came to Denzyl's lips when the guards began dragging the deranged man from the courtroom. Wil did not cease his cries and wails until a third guard arrived and injected a tranquilizing serum into his neck. The courtroom was silent as a grave at midnight following the closing of the door and the disappearing of Wil Kossen.

Marina's eyes were wide as saucers as she turned to face Devyn. She had visited Wil at the facility in which he was being held in an attempt to collect more information that could aid their case during the trial. She had experienced his child-like babble through this encounter, but she had yet to observe such an outburst from the defendant. "Are you alright, Mr. Vaumyr?" Attorney Webb inquired of her client once she had recovered from the surprise of Wil's blast of emotions.

Devyn released a short breath before nodding at his attorney. "I am, thank you. Are you alright, Ms. Webb?"

Marina nodded and answered, "I am," before sitting up straight in her chair and adding, "I assume the trial will proceed without the defendant."

"I assume so," Devyn responded in agreement as a judicial assistant entered the courtroom and announced, "All rise for Her Honor Raemin Aryan."

Each person present stood to their feet at the entrance of the judge and remained standing as she took her seat at the front of the courtroom. "Good morning, thank you for attending the trial for Case V-9795-2," Judge Aryan began in greeting to her court. "Due to certain circumstances, I have been informed that the defendant is unfit to stand present today, however, we shall succeed as scheduled. Please be seated. Court is now in session."