My Parents Took Me to the Stand of Kinship

On the day I was brought to trial, the courtroom was packed with onlookers eager for a spectacle.

Some of them even threw trash at me.

When they saw my parents, Susanna Wagner and John Thompson, and my brother, Edwin Thompson, dressed in rags, while I was impeccably dressed, they immediately concluded that I was a sinner.

"I know this woman. I've seen her on the news before."

"I heard her parents scrimped and saved to raise her. But after she became successful, she refused to acknowledge them."

"Yeah. She's wearing all these designer clothes, while her parents are in such shabby outfits. How pitiful."

As the crowd gossiped, a hint of triumph flashed in my parents' and Edwin's eyes.

Yet, they still put on an act and said, "Patricia, don't blame us for being ruthless. If you refuse to financially support us, we honestly can't make ends meet. Otherwise, who would have the heart to sue their own daughter?"

As they spoke, they wept bitterly, as if they truly cared for me so deeply.

Hearing this, the onlookers became even more indignant, condemning me as heartless and ungrateful.

Just then, the judge, Clyde Lamber, struck the gavel firmly.

"Order in the court."

Only then did everyone fall silent and wait for the trial to proceed.

Starting from the 25th century, in order to ensure that everyone abided by the law, various kinds of moral tribunals began to emerge.

Among them were friendship tribunals, family tribunals, marriage tribunals, and so on.

These tribunals determined whether a crime had been committed by extracting memories. Once a morally reprehensible act was confirmed, the defendant would pay a heavy price.

And I was the one who was brought to trial by my own family. They came at me aggressively, accusing me of three major offenses.

First, being ungrateful and refusing to support Mom and Dad after achieving success.

Second, disowning my family and cutting off all ties with them.

Third, standing by and doing nothing while Mom and Dad were critically ill.

As soon as these three charges were announced, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

"Oh my god! Is she even human? She's worse than an animal!"

"Don't insult animals! Someone like her deserves to die!"

"Exactly! No wonder her parents are suing her. She had it coming!"

Even Judge Lambert found it unbearable to listen, and the way he looked at me was filled with disdain.

"Ms. Thompson, you should know that if even just one of these charges are proven, you will be immediately sentenced to life in prison. Furthermore, all of your assets will be awarded to your parents."

I sat with my legs crossed and said nonchalantly, "I know."

Judge Lambert frowned imperceptibly and gave a light cough.

"The trial hasn't started yet, so you still have a chance to reconsider. According to the law, you only need to compensate your parents five million dollars and fulfill your duty of support. If you do that, today's trial can—"

Before Judge Lambert could finish, I interrupted with a look of utter disdain, "They can sue me all they want! I'd rather die than financially support them!"