On the day Francisco was being prepared for the court appearance, the media frenzy outside the gate reached its peak. Reporters and cameras swarmed the area, eager to capture the high-profile moment. The arrest of Francisco was now the city's top news, creating a buzz that reverberated through the community.

James, reveling in the perceived vulnerability of Francisco's absence, continued to expand his influence in the criminal underworld.

Within the precinct, Hazel and Rafael ...