Page 145 of The Echo of Forever

“You are aware his crime is punishable by society law; his rejector status does not exclude him,” the chairman stated firmly.

I smiled and nodded.

“I’m fully aware of the consequences, as is my husband. To be forthcoming, the approval came directly from the Carroway family, which overrides society law and excludes him from punishment.”

Direct hits were allowed, no matter who carried them out. Jayden’s mistake had become Demetrius’s defense.

“My husband has made himself available to this committee for questioning,” I added. “He’s also prepared evidence of Jayden Carroway’s involvement in his brother’s death.”

A chamber assistant stepped forward from the side of the room, handing a thick manila envelope to security, who walked into the chairman’s seat.

The evidence inside would back every claim I’d made: the doctors’ falsified reports, a copy of my marriage license, and, most damning of all, the money trail leading from Jayden to Millicent to Demetrius for Jeremiah’s murder.

“Is there anything else you’d like to present today in defense of being removed from your post, Mrs. Cannon?” the chairman asked.

“No,” I replied directly into the mic, noting that my father had left.

“Please allow the board the weekend to make a decision. All parties who’ve made themselves available should continue doing so until a decision is announced.”

With a tap of his gavel, the hearing was adjourned. I stood, not sparing any of them another glance as I walked toward the exit.

Carmen was waiting for me in the hallway, a tablet in her hand. As soon as the doors closed behind me, she handed it to me.

“You might want to see this,” she said on the verge of laughter. “The hearing was live-streamed from the Fairchild’s official page, and the people are rallying for you and Demetrius.”

I took the phone, scrolling through the comments that flooded the screen. Support seemed to pour in from both sides, society and rejectors alike, captivated by our story.

The Fairchilds had played their hand brilliantly, turning my hearing into propaganda for their cause. Now, everyone knew about Demetrius and me. Everyone knew about my father’s fake betrayal, too. But most importantly, that the rules could be broken if you were bold enough to do it.

I handed the phone back to Carmen, a smile spreading across my face.

“Let’s make our rounds,” I said, checking the time before sending a text to Demetrius.

Find me when you’re free.

CHAPTER 36

ECHO

When you decidesomeone’s time is up, their shit becomes yours by default.

I leaned back and propped my feet up on Millicent’s desk after adjusting the chair. My phone rested on my thigh, the live stream of Forever’s hearing playing at a low volume.

She was laying herself bare for the greater good, but I mostly gave a fuck about the parts pertaining to us. More specifically, the way she viewed me.

I scrolled through the comments and replied to a few for the hell of it, then left a few of my own.

The Cannon family came up now that she’s part of the mix.

“Is there anything else you’d like to present today in defense of being removed from your post, Mrs. Cannon?” the chairman asked, face red as he shuffled through the papers in front of him.

“No,” Forever replied, voice clear and confident through my phone’s speakers.

I smirked, adding another comment to the live stream.

Forever Reid Cannon > Forever Reid James

The Fairchilds had been smart to broadcast this shit. Forever and I were about to become the poster children for their unitycampaign, whether we wanted it or not, but I didn’t mind. Not when it put us in a position to leverage more power.