Chapter 4 — Whispers of Corruption

Third Person

The Judicial Hall loomed in the gray morning light, its rain-slicked marble columns glistening like sentinels of authority and tradition. Inside, Judge Cassandra Blake sat in her chambers, the room meticulously ordered, reflecting the precision she demanded of herself and others. The faint scent of polish lingered in the air, mixing with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The rhythmic ticking of an antique clock punctuated the silence, a steady companion to her solitude.