"Now, to the accusation that Mr. Wildfire forcibly obtained private security footage. That is, again, false," Alice began, her voice even but firm. Inside, her heart was anything but.
She could hear it. Loud, wild, irrational.
Even more than the faint murmurs from the crowd.
What was she doing?
Why was she doing this again?
God—what if this is all just embarrassing nonsense to them? What if they laugh? Or worse—roll their eyes?
She pushed the papers forward anyway. Just keep going.
"The footage was handed over—voluntarily—by the property owners in charge."
She gestured for the council assistant. The batch of signed forms, her one lifeline, was passed up front.
"These are signed testimonies from each party confirming that Mr. Wildfire neither threatened nor coerced them. He asked. They complied. Because—like many others—they were curious, or simply didn't see any harm."
