Carrying frustration and regret, Nick Reese left the interrogation room. As he stepped into the prison's administrative area, he saw his boss, Bruce Mack, walking toward him.
"I've already sent someone to retrieve Clyde Shelton's DVD player. As long as that bastard confesses, we'll have him under our control," Bruce said confidently.
Nick wanted to object, but William's warning about time running out lingered in his mind. Forced once again to negotiate with a criminal, Nick sighed in defeat. "Do whatever you want. I'll be submitting the case to Judge Roberts."
At 7 a.m. the next day, Clyde was woken up by the guards. He was to be escorted to the New York District Court for his initial hearing.
At 10 a.m., the trial began. Without an attorney, Clyde sat alone at the defendant's table. Across from him were Nick, Bruce Mack, and their assistant, Sarah Lowell.
Nick stood up, holding a document, and addressed the judge. "Your Honor, given that Mr. Shelton is not only a suspect in the murders of Clarence Darby and Rupert Meeks but is also implicated in transferring assets to Panama, posing a significant flight risk, I request that bail for Clyde Shelton be denied."
Judge Roberts glanced at Nick indifferently before turning to Clyde. "Mr. Shelton, since you've chosen not to have legal representation, you'll need to defend yourself. Do you have anything to say?"
Clyde, staring at Nick, remained silent.
"Mr. Shelton," Roberts repeated, this time with a tone of warning.
"Yes, yes," Clyde finally responded, turning to the judge. "Should I stand up?"
"Please do," Roberts said, frowning.
"Understood." Clyde stood and feigned a timid demeanor. "Apologies, Your Honor. This is my first time in court, so I'm not quite sure how things work."
Hearing this explanation, Judge Roberts softened slightly and gestured for Clyde to continue.
"Thank you," Clyde said politely. Placing his hands on the table, he pretended to be uncertain as he spoke. "Honestly, Your Honor, I'm just an ordinary citizen, a law-abiding one. This is my first time being accused of a crime. Before this, I didn't even have a traffic violation.
"So I don't understand on what grounds the prosecution can request my continued detention without any evidence against me. If you grant this request, it would be a severe prejudice against me, undermining justice, equality, and my rights.
"Moreover, as the Dave Nard case shows, the prosecution has no authority to deny me the sacred rights guaranteed by law."
Finished, Clyde turned and smiled at Nick and his team. His speech left Nick momentarily speechless. He knew Roberts would likely grant bail after this.
Judge Roberts sighed, giving Nick a helpless look. After hesitating for a moment, the judge said, "In fact... I... I'm inclined to agree with your argument, Mr. Shelton."
Refusing to give up, Nick stood again. "Your Honor, given that Mr. Shelton and the prosecution have reached a plea agreement, I request an extension of his detention."
"Has the agreement been signed?" Roberts asked.
Nick nodded toward Sarah Lowell, who quickly handed him a document. Nick placed it in front of Clyde. "You promised me. I gave you what you wanted; now give me what I want."
"Of course," Clyde said, taking the document. Then, with a smile, he turned to Judge Roberts. "Your Honor, shouldn't you announce my bail now? I'm still waiting to sign."
The courtroom erupted into whispers as everyone stared at Clyde as if he were mad.
"Do you know what you're doing, Clyde Shelton?" Judge Roberts asked, removing her glasses and glaring at him. "I could hold you in contempt of court."
"It doesn't matter whether I sign this or not," Clyde replied, waving the plea agreement. "Unless this document is signed, and since the prosecution has no evidence against me, I remain innocent. Isn't that right, Your Honor?"
"This... this..." Judge Roberts hesitated, struggling with her decision. Finally, she sighed. "You're correct. Without compelling evidence, I cannot restrict your freedom. Therefore, I will grant bail, set at—"
Before Roberts could finish, Clyde began shaking his head with a sly grin. Seeing this, Nick felt a pang of dread and interrupted, "Your Honor, I must remind you that this decision is a mistake."
"What?" Roberts turned to Nick, only to hear clapping echo through the courtroom.
Clyde stood, clapping slowly and smirking. "Thank you, thank you," he said mockingly, raising his hands in a surrender gesture. "Are you really planning to let me walk out of here?"
"What are you implying?" Roberts snapped.
"Apologies. What I mean to say is, are you truly willing to release a killer who's murdered two people?" Clyde pointed to himself, his smile widening. "I guess you don't remember me, do you, Your Honor?"
"Mr. Shelton, I suggest you choose your words carefully in this courtroom," Roberts said sternly.
"Doesn't matter anymore," Clyde replied nonchalantly. "I never planned to leave, so why bother being cautious?"
With that, Clyde grabbed a pen and signed the plea agreement. Holding it up for the spectators to see, he then pointed to Roberts. "Look, I'm guilty. Guilty. And yet, she was ready to release me. Isn't that hilarious?
"All I had to do was reference some random case to scare her, and she panicked like a fresh intern, ready to let a murderer walk free. Do you know what I'd do if I got out?"
The courtroom watched in shock as Clyde began shouting. "If I walked out, I'd hunt down every person connected to the case that destroyed my family—just like I did with Clarence Darby, the bastard who killed my wife and daughter. Do you know how I dealt with Darby?"
Clyde mimed pulling apart a toy. "I dismantled him. Snapped off his fingers, one by one. Then his feet. Then, finally, his head. Do you know why I'm saying all this?"
He pointed at Roberts, Nick, and the others. "Because it was this so-called justice system that let the murderer of my wife and daughter serve just three years before walking free. So I had no choice but to handle Clarence Darby and Rupert Meeks myself—two men who should've gone to hell ten years ago!"
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Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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