The Ingrateful Frame-Up Chapter 2

The crowd gasped, surprised by my defiance. Richard shook his head, a look of pity and scorn on his face.

"However," I continued, my voice cutting through the noise, "I request that the proceedings be held in private."

"Accusers Richard and Leo Reed, do you consent to the defendant's request?" the Chief Justice asked, his tone grave.

Richard turned to Catherine. "Catherine, you are the victim here. The decision is yours."

Her eyes flickered. "Evelyn is a renowned scientist, after all," she said, her voice soft and gentle. "Let's grant her this final dignity. A private trial is fine."

Richard looked at her, his expression softening with adoration. "You're too kind, Catherine. After everything she's done to you."

The viewers on the livestream were furious.

【A private trial? She's obviously guilty and trying to hide it! What's the point of watching if we can't see the evidence?】

【Her own family turned her in. What more do we need to know? Just declare her a traitor and be done with it.】

The discontent from the crowd and the internet had no effect on the Chief Justice. His face was a mask of impartiality as he declared, "The trial of Dr. Evelyn Reed, on the charges of treason, intellectual theft, and betrayal of the state, as brought forth by Richard and Leo Reed, is now in session."

"The prosecution will have four opportunities to present evidence. If any single charge is proven, the defendant will be found guilty. The Tribunal will extract and review the relevant memories of all parties to ensure a just verdict."

"The prosecution may present its first piece of evidence."

Richard gave me one last look of disappointment. "For the first charge, I accuse Evelyn Reed of using shameless means to steal Catherine Kane's state-sponsored scholarship for overseas study."

As he spoke, his memory materialized on the massive screen above us.

It was forty years ago. A young Richard was holding a tearful Catherine in his arms.

"The professor promised it to me," she sobbed. "Why did they give the spot to Evelyn Reed in the end?"

"Richard, what am I going to do? The university's budget is tight. This might have been the last fully-funded scholarship to America."

The memory faded. The crowd began to mutter.

"Forty years ago… a scholarship to study in America was a golden ticket! How could she steal that from someone?"

"The last one. This Catherine woman doesn't look like she came from a wealthy family. Without that funding, her dreams were probably crushed. Evelyn Reed ruined her life!"

"They said she stole achievements, too. Looks like she's a career thief."

The Chief Justice turned to me. "Defendant, is the accuser's claim that you stole Catherine Kane's scholarship true?"

I gave a casual nod. "If you want to put it that way, then in a manner of speaking, I suppose I did."

My indifferent attitude made Richard's face flush with anger. "So you admit it!" he choked out, his voice trembling. "You stole Catherine's chance, and after all these years, you still feel no remorse!"

Catherine covered her face, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

Suddenly, the Chief Justice’s cold voice cut through the drama. "Verdict on the first charge: Not Guilty. The prosecution may proceed with its next piece of evidence."

The courtroom erupted. "What? She just confessed! How can it be 'Not Guilty'? The Tribunal must have been bribed!"

My husband and son were equally stunned, shouting for my memories to be made public. The protest grew so loud, challenging the very integrity of the Tribunal, that the Chief Justice turned to me.

"For the honor of this court, I ask for your consent to make this memory public."

I looked at the furious, self-righteous faces of my husband and son. "Show it," I said.

I hoped they were ready for the truth.