title: Contract Renewed
author: Deaniege, Aya
description: A trial that almost didn't happen, against a man who doesn't believe he'll ever see jail time, started by a woman who's afraid of what might happen if he does walk free. Albert Edwards is standing accused of the murder of six women, the assault of one hand, and the attempted murder of Isabella Martin, amongst other things. It's the trial of the century, possibly even of the new era, as law enforcement struggle to deal with their first recorded serial killer. Of course, that's all public record. Behind the scenes, Nathaniel and Isabella are struggling to come to terms with being outed by the trial, and by a leak in the Program. Their families and business associates all know about the kinks. Nathaniel can shrug it off. He owns his company, and his last remaining family member is standing trial. But Isabella is in the Slum when the news breaks, visiting her family. If not even a visit with her family can go well, what about the trial? What about the rest of her life? Once the six-month contract is up, she'll have nowhere to go, doesn't even know where to start. The men in her life aren't talking about that, or the trial if they can help it. No, they're talking about putting a crop in her hand. About finding her a mentor, and giving her control back, because that's oh so much more important. But while Isabella has the crop, she might as well take some built up frustration out on Nathaniel.