"Of course. Go ahead and answer it," Harvey Dent said with a smile.
Whatever Third Act, Fourteenth Chapter nonsense—Harvey had long forgotten all of that.
What truly mattered was the title Attorney General—the top seat of the U.S. Department of Justice.
If you wanted to survive in America's judicial system, there was no avoiding that name.
And who was Connor Belmont, really?
He was one of America's most famous super-lawyers. If a case didn't shake the entire country, he wouldn't even look at it.
The people he associated with were all top-tier elites.
There was even a saying among the upper class:
"If your contact list doesn't include Connor Belmont, then you're not truly part of high society."
"Hello," Lucas said lazily into the phone.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Lucas. This is William Nelson, U.S. Attorney General. I regret that our first conversation has to take place under these circumstances," William said apologetically.
"Attorney General Nelson, don't make it sound like I've already been convicted," Lucas laughed.
At this moment, William Nelson was not in his own office, but inside the White House executive office.
President Ellis was standing nearby, listening with a deep frown.
"Mr. Lucas, regarding what you have experienced today, the White House offers its sincerest apologies. This was a failure on our part," Nelson continued.
"If you wish to leave at any time, you are free to do so. This is a privilege granted jointly by the President and myself."
Harvey Dent's face instantly turned green.
He never imagined that this man possessed such terrifying influence—enough to warrant a personal apology from the Attorney General.
"But I believe I am guilty, Attorney General," Lucas said apologetically.
"So I will appear in court as a defendant. I want to know the real reason those people are suing me."
"Alright then. I believe I should continue cooperating with Prosecutor Harvey Dent's questioning."
With that, Lucas hung up the phone.
Harvey Dent's face was no longer green—it had turned pitch black.
"Sir, are you deliberately setting me up?" Harvey demanded.
Lucas shook his head.
"No. I think I'm helping you make a name for yourself. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"You took this case because you wanted fame, didn't you? Otherwise, why come looking for trouble with me?"
After a brief pause, Lucas leaned closer and pointed at Harvey.
"Don't tell me this is about justice. To hell with that—I wouldn't even use it to wipe my ass. It's filthy."
Connor coughed lightly.
"Sir, you do realize you're not required to speak."
Lucas suddenly turned to him.
"Lawyer Belmont, you're here to clean up afterward—not to tell me how I should act."
Connor Belmont had met countless powerful figures. Even White House cabinet members treated him as an equal.
Yet never before had he felt such overwhelming pressure.
Standing before Lucas felt like being an ant facing a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
"I understand, sir," Connor nodded.
At that moment, Harvey Dent's phone rang.
It was his direct superior—Deputy Attorney General Barry.
After being chewed out for a full ten minutes, Harvey hung up.
A few seconds later, it rang again.
Then again.
And again.
Lucas and Connor watched as Harvey answered more than a dozen calls—his face shifting from black, to yellow, to blue, and finally to red.
"Shit!"
Harvey raised his hand as if to smash the phone, then hesitated, placed it back on the desk, and powered it off.
"Mr. Lucas, you are free to leave at any time," Harvey said helplessly.
"And your justice?" Lucas asked curiously.
"Didn't you say it was too filthy to even wipe your ass with?" Harvey sighed.
"Hey, Harvey, listen to me," Lucas continued.
"From now on, I'll cooperate with every single question you ask. You just need to stick with it."
"Are you mocking me?" Harvey snapped.
"Do you think I'm some kind of joke?"
Connor couldn't help but cover his face.
If he were Harvey Dent, he would have exploded long ago.
This was outright humiliation.
"I'm not joking," Lucas said calmly.
"Have the judge open court tomorrow. I will appear on time."
Lucas stood and looked at Connor.
"I've made myself very clear. Go back and report to your bosses."
Then he turned toward the marshals at the door.
"Take me to a quiet holding room. Until tomorrow's hearing, no one is to disturb me."
One of the marshals swallowed hard and immediately opened the door.
Joking aside—his superior's superior's superior had already apologized to this man personally.
There was no way he was going to show any attitude.
Lucas strode out of the interrogation room with ease, leaving behind a grim-faced Harvey Dent and a silent Connor Belmont.
"Harvey," Connor said as he adjusted his suit and stood up,
"Here's my advice—go home, don't think about anything, and get some sleep. You'll need it for tomorrow."
With that, he left.
Harvey Dent stood there, torn.
The justice he had believed in since childhood screamed at him to press forward.
But reason told him clearly—he was now standing against the highest judicial authority in America.
"No. I am justice. I represent justice!"
Moments later, under the stunned gazes of two marshals, Harvey Dent suddenly stood up, grabbed his briefcase, and stormed out.
Outside the Supreme Court, Harvey faced a crowd of reporters so dense it blocked the street.
Suddenly, inspiration struck.
He walked straight toward them.
It was like tossing a lump of bait into a swarm of flies—instant chaos.
"Everyone," Harvey announced loudly,
"I have just met the individual responsible for the massive destruction of three districts in Philadelphia."
"He has stated that he will attend tomorrow's court hearing."
"So if you have any demands, you may submit them directly to the court."
"And if you trust me," Harvey continued,
"you may elect me as your public prosecutor and legal representative."
Philadelphia exploded.
The real culprit—Kro—had already been obliterated beyond recognition.
And besides, he was a monster. There was no legal entity to pursue.
But the other party?
He was human. Very much so.
The residents of the three devastated districts were losing their minds.
Insurance companies had already made their stance clear—no compensation whatsoever.
This was neither a natural disaster nor damage caused by law enforcement.
It was the result of a human fighting a monster.
The contracts were explicit. They were legally allowed to refuse compensation.
Which left the victims with only one option:
Sue one of the responsible parties—Lucas.
With certain people fanning the flames, nearly ten thousand residents joined together to file a massive public prosecution.
The media coverage detonated across America.
[September 12, 2003, 4:50 PM]
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania formally authorized the Philadelphia Federal Court to conduct a public hearing on September 13.
Defendant Lucas will personally attend the hearing.
Prosecutor Harvey Dent will serve as chief public prosecutor and legal representative for all plaintiffs.
---
Author's Note:
The operation of the American judicial system here is largely fictionalized. Please read for enjoyment—no need to take it too seriously.