On the first day of Jack Millman’s murder trial, Leila is overcome with nausea and adrenaline. She and Julian now live estranged in the same house, their movements carefully choreographed to avoid contact. In the robing room at Newcastle Crown Court, Leila senses her colleagues’ animosity, who want her to lose because the victim, Judge Anton Smythe, was their friend. She sees her court robes and wig as a form of armor.

Before the trial begins, Leila meets with Jack. She warns him that withholding his defense until trial will allow the judge to direct the jury to draw an “adverse inference” against him. The courtroom is packed with spectators, and the presiding judge is Mrs. Justice Brightman. After the jury is selected, the judge confirms that Jack, against legal advice, has consented to the jury knowing about his prior conviction for grievous bodily harm.

Julian begins his opening speech for the prosecution. Leila observes his performance, noting that he is using dramatic, biased language to portray Jack as a cold-blooded killer. She knows Julian is trying to provoke a reaction from her to make her appear unprofessional to the jury. Understanding that trials are often won on likability rather than evidence, she remains impassive.