This day in court was going to be an utter nightmare. Phoenix had nearly nothing on his side going in, so the only sliver of hope he had to get an acquittal was to debunk everything on the fly in the middle of the trial. That was not a very uplifting fact. It took every ounce of strength inside of him to pretend as if everything was fine, when it was in fact not very fine. It also felt strange having a 12:30 trial time when it was normally always a 10:00 one. It was a bad omen of many bad omens to come.

Mrs. Chisholm was guided into the defendant lobby by the bailiffs, and immediately she made herself comfortable on the couch and looked over her nails. She snuck a quick glance of Phoenix as she did so, pursing her lips by the sight, "Someone looks a little on edge…" She mused, still focused on her nails.

Phoenix looked around a bit before pointing at himself nervously, "What...me? Pfft, nah! I'm completely fine! We got this trial under control! We're perfectly alright!"

Erin narrowed her eyes, unable to believe that Phoenix legitimately thought he could convince her of that, "You are quite persuasive… I can only imagine how you perform out there in that courtroom. Let's just say I need to become more acquainted with my cell, because at this rate, that's where I'm going to be spending the rest of my life…"

"Erin…" Adrian cut in, crossing her arms with a sorrowful expression, "He's dug his way out of deeper holes before. You just have to give him a chance."

Letting out a deep sigh, Erin just nodded, "Fine, fine… Here's your chance, Mr. Wright. Hopefully you don't mess it up."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence…" Phoenix grumbled, comical rivulets of sweat dripping down his forehead.

Maya shook her head in disapproval, "Man, you really shouldn't mess this one up."

"I know, Maya." Phoenix sighed, "I'm gonna be doing my best. Sometimes a little faith can go a long way in these cases… Hint, hint." He glared over towards Erin, who just teasingly shrugged and shook her head.

Adrian placed her hand on Phoenix's shoulder, "If anything, I believe in you, Phoenix."

"Thank you, Adrian." Phoenix straightened himself out and pulled at the lapels of his suit jacket in a pout, "At least someone here believes in me. It's one against three."

Adrian pursed her lips and furrowed her eyebrows in thought as she glanced around the room, "How… How did you get those numbers?"

Phoenix leaned closer with a hand covering his mouth from view, "Because you're the only one believing in me right now… Not even I believe in me…"

Looking more than concerned, Adrian looked between Erin and Phoenix, biting her lip, "Is there anything I can do…?"

"The first witness slated to go up is Gumshoe, who I can normally disprove easily." Phoenix said, staring at the ceiling in thought, "I know nothing about the character witness who's allegedly having an affair with Mrs. Chisholm."

"I am not into that guy, by the way." Erin jumped into the conversation, raising her hand.

Phoenix nodded, returning his gaze to Adrian, "Could you check out the guy who Mrs. Chisholm definitely is not into for me? He should be in the prosecution's lobby getting prepped by Edgeworth."

Nodding resolutely, Adrian clenched her fists together, "I'm on it! I'll find out everything there is about this guy! I'm good at reading people like that!"

"Good. I'll call for a recess after Gumshoe's testimony so you can fill me in. I'm counting on you." Phoenix said. Right on cue, the bailiffs came in to escort the party into the courtroom so the proceedings could start.

Adrian left the defendant lobby and walked around the main hall for a little while, and soon she spotted the doors to the hallway leading into the prosecution's side of the courthouse. There were two hulky bailiffs standing guard, and immediately Adrian gulped nervously. Praying that they were only there to keep suspicious people out, Adrian walked up to the doors and tried to get inside, but the two bailiffs slid in front of the double doors, blocking her from entering.

"Certification, please." The right bailiff said.

Adrian's shoulders sagged, and she looked between the two of them in a panic, "...Er...what?!"

"A police badge, prosecution badge, something." The left bailiff said, "Only those affiliated with the prosecution are allowed in."

"Could you…" Adrian nervously dragged her foot in circles, "Could you make an exception just this once? Please?"

Both bailiffs shook their heads. Adrian sighed in defeat, and she made a straight line for the courthouse doors. She walked outside and immediately pulled out her phone, dialing a number. She hoped Phoenix was having better luck than she was…

"The prosecution calls Detective Dick Gumshoe to the stand." Miles stated, and the aforementioned man stepped right up to the witness stand as usual.

Phoenix and Maya had received a copy of the autopsy report that was submitted into the court during opening statements, so Phoenix instructed Maya to read and memorize every little fact inside while he focused on Gumshoe's testimony. They were entirely winging it at that point. There was no preparation whatsoever.

The older, grayer judge was assigned to the case, thank god, and he instructed Gumshoe to begin, "Your testimony, please."

"You got it, pal!" Gumshoe said excitedly, riled up to go, "The defendant had been planning to kill her husband for a while, and that day when she stepped into the mansion, she pulled out a gun and shot him seconds after stepping foot inside! There was a single bullet that went straight through his chest, which was the fatal blow. The murder weapon was well stashed by the defendant. We couldn't find anything at the house."

"What a pathetic note to end on…" Miles muttered beneath his breath. Luckily, it wasn't really noticed by anyone.

Maya shoved the autopsy report at Phoenix, complete with underlined and circled portions and some annotations on the side. Looking it over, Phoenix saw that she had made note of anything that contradicted with Gumshoe's testimony, and… well, there was a lot…

"The defense may begin with its cross examination of the witness." The judge instructed.

Phoenix nodded, taking one last look over the autopsy report before focusing on Gumshoe.

"So, you claim that the killer shot Alan Rodgers right after stepping inside?" Phoenix asked.

Gumshoe nodded, "Yeah!"

"Then why is it that the body was found only a foot or so in front of the door? Wouldn't the killer have to be standing there?"

"Mrs. Chisholm was found holding Mr. Rodgers near the door! It's obvious that she caught him after shooting him at close-range!"

Phoenix shook his head, "There were no burn marks found around the gunshot wound, according to the autopsy report." He slammed his hands down on the bench, "So it's impossible that Mr. Rodgers was shot at close-range!"

Gumshoe grew agitated at that, breathing growing heavy from the adrenaline, "B-But-!"

Phoenix didn't give him the chance to continue, "And you stated that the bullet went 'straight through his chest..' but the autopsy report states that the bullet entered through the chest and exited through the lower back! That meant that the killer had to have shot from on top of the staircase, so my client couldn't have shot Mr. Rodgers upon stepping in through the door!"

"Ngh…!" It was Edgeworth's turn to be shocked, dark circles forming around his eyes as he leaned down on the bench.

Arching an eyebrow in confusion, Phoenix just stared at Miles incredulously, "...You couldn't have not known that… Just a single glance at the autopsy report would've told you all about it! Unless…" Phoenix gasped, "You didn't read it, did you?!"

"I…" Miles clenched his fist, obviously at a loss for words, "I did not have much time last night to look it over… I had to deal with a family crisis for most of the day yesterday…"

Phoenix was nearly frozen from shock at that point. Both sides were so egregiously underprepared? This case was a disaster already...and it was about to get worse.

"Don't worry, Mr. Edgeworth! I'll save this one!" Gumshoe butted in, "Let me testify again!"

"My god…" Edgeworth muttered, "This case is doomed…"

Phoenix placed his hands on his hips proudly, "I do not object to additional testimony!"

"That's because it will help you make your case…!" Miles spat.

"Ex-xactly!" Phoenix grinned.

"...Okay." The judge said, "You may testify again, Detective Gumshoe."

"Well, just because the gunshot came inside the house doesn't mean that it wasn't Mrs. Chisholm who killed Mr. Rodgers! She easily could've ran up the stairs and then shoot him because she wasn't sure about doing it yet! That works too! Yeah!"

The entire courtroom just went silent at that. Gumshoe lost all of his momentum and eventually just scratched the back of his neck with a defeated look on his face.

It was Phoenix who broke the silence after a long moment's pause, and he looked up at the judge, "Your Honor… Could we have a thirty-minute recess?"

"...Yes." The judge sighed, "Yes, you may. Court will reconvene in thirty minutes." And he slammed his gavel.

Immediately when the trial was put on hold, Phoenix pulled out his phone and dialed Adrian, hoping that there was some good news to this whole mess.

"...Phoenix. Heeeey…" Adrian said weakly on the other line.

Phoenix's expression dropped, "...That doesn't sound too good."

"So, slight problem…" Adrian laughed uneasily, "Apparently I need to work for the prosecution to be allowed inside their side of the courthouse… But don't worry! I called backup. I just need more time, Phoenix! I'm sorry!"

Phoenix pinched the bridge of his nose, "I got a thirty-minute recess… Do you think you could be done in that amount of time?"

"Honestly…? Not really. I have to wait for backup to arrive, and it might be a while… Can't you stall during the trial?" Adrian perked up, "Remember those good points I thought up yesterday? Can you use those to buy for time until I get back to you? I'll text Maya when I find something!"

"I'll see what I can do. This case has been a mess on both sides. Who knows...this could actually be pulled off." Phoenix sounded a bit more confident, "That works. Good luck, Adrian. We're counting on you."

"Yikes…" Adrian said, "That's a lot of pressure…"

"...Sorry." Phoenix sighed, "...Wait. Who's your backup?"

Adrian took a while to respond, obviously weighing the consequences of telling, "...She promised me not to tell. I'm sure you'll find out soon. I had to pull her out of an important lunch event for this...her only condition was that her involvement be kept a secret...especially from you, Phoenix."

Phoenix clenched his jaw. He didn't like it, but he wouldn't fight his only shot, either, "...Alright. Good luck to you and this mystery woman. I'll find out everything about the stepdaughter that I can."

"Got it. I'll check in later." And then there was a beep.

Phoenix sighed and ran a hand through his hair. The stress was too much already, and the trial just started.

At another part of the city well before the disastrous trial of Erin Chisholm started, Franziska had her fated meeting with the mystery von Karma. Some sentimental side of her decided that she'd wear that outfit given to her by Maya, since she didn't exactly want to meet this woman in court clothing. Part of Franziska wanted to impress Amelia von Karma, as if it were a competition over who the best von Karma was. She looked at her reflection, making sure her hair wasn't a mess and that her scarf was tied around her neck neatly. Franziska also looked around before adjusting her leather pants- god, it's been forever since she wore pants -and she straightened out her tank top. Keeping her blazer jacket loosely hanging off of her shoulders, Franziska finally deemed her appearance acceptable before leaving and making her way toward the Carnago nearby.

When she arrived, Franziska realized that she really had no clue what Amelia looked like. Looking around she hoped that maybe she could someone with blue hair, as that seemed to be a common family trait. Luckily she spotted a woman around the age she was looking for with bluish hair, so Franziska just prayed that she got the right person and walked over towards that table, heels clacking loudly against the tile floor as she made her way over.

The woman heard Franziska approaching and she lifted her head, grinning a bit once laying eyes on Franziska, "You must be…"

"Yes, yes." Franziska let out a long breath once she reached the table, placing her hand on her hip and glancing the other woman over, "So… you're the mysterious Amelia von Karma… Hmm."

"Well…" Amelia began, scratching her cheek. She spoke in accented English, German presumably being her preferred language, "It's actually Amelia Schaffer… I took up my husband's last name when I got married."

Franziska simply raised an eyebrow, but otherwise there was no change to her neutral expression. So, her sister didn't even keep the von Karma name? That was a tough pill to swallow… "I see… Any other new family of I should know about, Mrs. Schaffer?"

Amelia grinned a bit, motioning towards the seat across from her, "Please… Call me Amelia or Amy. And sit down with me."

Franziska did as she was told, and she placed her jacket around the back of the chair and adjusted the straps to her top. "And your answer?"

"I do have a daughter, Rolande." Amelia said, "She's nine now. And, er…" She tapped her chin, "Does the family dog count? His name's Phoenix."

Franziska instantly cringed at that, but she did her best to school her features, "...Ah. What an...interesting name for a dog."

"I'm...sorry? Did I say something wrong?" Amelia's expression fell.

Franziska shook her head, "No, no… It's just… Phoenix is just someone who I work with that's very…" A lot of choice words rolled through her head, but none of them would make for a very good impression with her sister…

"Is he your…?" Amelia asked hesitantly, raising an eyebrow curiously.

"Oh, god no! Please, Amelia… I have standards." Franziska placed her hand to her chest, "He's not my type, either. My type doesn't tend to be 'bumbling fool…'"

"Ah…" Amelia laughed a bit at that, "My mistake. He sounds...interesting. You said you knew him from work?"

Franziska nearly wanted to slam her head into the table. The last thing she wanted to her sister about was him… "Yes. He's a defense attorney I have had the displeasure of facing against numerous times. I despise him."

Amelia laughed again, covering her mouth, "You're quite blunt, Franziska… It seems to still run in the family… as does being a prosecutor, I see."

"Me and my brother didn't really have much choice in the matter." Franziska sighed, "Nor did we have the guts to disobey Father as you had…"

"Ah… Yes, that…" Amelia coughed, gaze falling downward, "It wasn't an easy decision. It certainly wasn't easy to forget everything he tried to teach me, either…"

Franziska raised her eyebrows and placed her elbow on the table, resting her head against her fist, "I'm in a similar situation myself lately, would you have it… It turns out Father's teachings were contributing to the corruption in the prosecution's office… I can see that now. It still doesn't mean it's simple to forget literally everything you've been told your entire life."

"It does get better, you know." Amelia said weakly, trying to force a smile, "Once I started doing things for myself instead of him, I felt a lot happier. Everything got better from then on out. I met my husband, and then I got my dream job, and then I had my beautiful child… All of that awaits you once you get things sorted out."

Narrowing her eyes, Franziska just started to glance over her nails before drumming them against the table, "Forgive me, but those things don't sound appealing in the slightest for someone like me. I couldn't imagine having a husband and kids."

"Well…" Amelia sighed, "You'll find something that does sound appealing. But it will still get better and easier as time goes on."

Franziska cleared her throat, obviously a bit uncomfortable, "Could we talk about something less dull? I didn't necessarily come out here to talk about my feelings."

"Of course." Amelia forced a smile, trying to think of other topics, "Do you… have any hobbies? Friends?"

Eyes widening, Franziska almost wanted to go back to the feelings conversation. That was almost easier. She looked at her hand, trying to count on her fingers all of her friends, "Aside from family, I have… maybe...two, three close friends?" She added the 'close' in there, because it was far less incriminating than just saying she had two friends, "And as for hobbies, erm…" Franziska swallowed; she didn't really do anything other than destroy people in court. Suddenly she remembered something that she could say, and she just went with that, "...I take a fitness class every Tuesday and Thursday. It's called Exer."

"Exer…?" Amelia tilted her head, "What's that?"

Franziska leaned a bit closer, "It's kind of like Zumba, I suppose."

Amelia nodded, "Ah… Fun."

It fell awkwardly silent after that, and Franziska prayed for something to happen so that it wasn't such a strange, heavy air. Fortunately, something did happen, and her phone suddenly rang. Except… Franziska forgot that she gave that person a specific ringtone, and her phone was suddenly blaring '13 Years Hard Time for Love.' Franziska never wanted her life to end more than she did in that very moment.

Amelia blinked a few times, "Is… Is that…?" She started to smile at the ringtone.

"S-Shut up…" Franziska muttered, pulling out her phone, "Pardon me…" Answering it, Franziska tried to steady her voice from how flustered it was earlier, "...What is it, Adrian?" After hearing Adrian's story, Franziska looked at Amelia in a panic before glancing off to the side, "Adri, you know I'm busy… Yes, I'm with her… What do you mean you need to spy on the prosecution's case?! ...Fine. I'll help… Yes, I do know I'm amazing, though I love it whenever people tell me that… You wound me, Adrian. I'll be down in a few minutes. Don't get yourself kicked out, you hear me? ...Good. See you shortly."

She hung up and looked over towards Amelia who had a knowing grin on her face, "My apologies, but something just came up and my friend needs my help-"

"You don't have to explain yourself to me. I understand. Go help your friend do whatever dubiously legal things they need you to do." Amelia was nearly laughing at that point.

Franziska shuffled uncomfortably in her chair, "I mean, it's definitely not illegal, but it's certainly a foolish move… Besides, it's my brother's case. It's fine." She stood up and grabbed her jacket, though Amelia then tried to stop her.

"W-Wait, Franziska… Just a moment before you go…" Amelia cleared her throat and tried to put on a hopeful smile, "Would you consider trying this again sometime? When your brother doesn't need one of his cases sabotaged?"

"Well, I'd sabotage a case of his any chance I get, but…" Franziska shot a hint of a grin back, "I'm sure I could make that work."

"Thank you, Franziska." Amelia tilted her head, a devious expression now on her face, "Besides, I can't let you go off scot-free when I just found out you're a closet fan of the Gavinners…"

Franziska instantly recoiled at that, a wince on her features, "Dear god… This cruelty runs in the family…!"

"Oh, it sure does." Amelia snickered, "Run along, little one… Any second longer you stay, I will start teasing you…"

Franziska bolted as quickly as her heels could take her, and she made a note to herself to change. that. blasted. ringtone.

The second Franziska stepped into the courthouse, she was spotted by Adrian, who ran up to her side immediately.

"Thank god you're here! The bailiffs wouldn't let me in! I need to spy on this one witness!" Adrian said, clinging to Franziska's arm.

Franziska quirked a brow teasingly as she continued walking, not even taking a beat of pause, "Yes, well, they do that so that people don't try and do that very thing you're doing."

"Well… it's for a good cause!" Adrian protested with a huff.

Unable to help herself, Franziska grinned at that, "Is this for that case with the fitness instructor?"

"Yeah!" Adrian nodded, "Phoenix kind of needs me to spy on this one witness who says he's been having an affair with Mrs. Chisholm… He's a bit...well, very underprepared."

"Typical."

Adrian laughed nervously at that, "Yeah, I suppose it is… Do you think you could help me out in trying to get a read on this guy?"

"Well, I made the trip over." Franziska sighed, fishing through her purse to get her badge out, "I might as well make it more worthwhile than just flashing a badge at a bunch of guards."

"Have I ever told you that you're amazing?" Adrian let out a relieved sigh, grinning widely.

Franziska smirked, "Yeah, but you could stand to say it a few more times." When they reached the doors to the prosecutor's wing, Franziska simply held her badge up for the bailiffs to see, "She's with me." She said, pushing through the doors and stepping inside.

Adrian spared a final look at the bailiffs and laughed, feeling victorious in having beaten them. Once they were inside the prosecutor's wing, Adrian took a glance around, and down at the end of the hall, she could see a man standing at the vending machine, tapping his foot. "There! That's got to be him! Mr. Argitakos!"

Franziska took a better look at the man, and she instantly shook her head, "Him?"

"Yeah, him!" Adrian nodded.

Franziska crossed her arms, glancing between Adrian and Enrique Argitakos. She let out a simple sigh, still shaking her head slightly, "Well, I can say one thing for certain…"

Adrian tilted her head, a curious eyebrow raised, "And…?"

"That man is not having an affair with Mrs. Chisholm."