MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Rose sat rigidly in the plush chair across from Gary Wilkins, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Though the sleek decor of his corner office suite projected an air of prestige, she could barely focus on her surroundings. The sting of the judge's harsh bail ruling at Blake's arraignment still reverberated through her mind.

"I know that wasn't the outcome we hoped for," Gary began, steepling his fingers. "But this is simply round one in what will be a lengthy legal battle."

Rose exhaled a shaky breath, forcing herself to remain composed. "You told me before the hearing that Blake's spotless record and community ties would justify a reasonable bail amount. How did the judge arrive at that exorbitant sum?"

"Unfortunately, the prosecution played to common biases by portraying Blake as a hothead consumed by rage." Gary shook his head in dismay. "Their inflammatory arguments and theorizing about motive clearly swayed the judge's opinion before we even started presenting Blake's defense."

Frustration burned through Rose. "But that's utterly preposterous! Blake is one of the most level-headed people I know. This 'rage' motive is ridiculous fabrication."

The attorney nodded solemnly. "I understand, Rose. And we will systematically dismantle every aspect of the prosecution's unfounded theories when we get to trial. For now, we must stay strategically focused."

Rose leaned forward intently. "So what are our next moves? I have substantial financial resources at my disposal if needed to aid in Blake's defense." Her jaw clenched determinedly. "Whatever it takes, Gary. I won't let this monstrous injustice persist a day longer than necessary."

Gary held up a calming hand. "I appreciate your resolve, Rose, and we will undoubtedly require funding to fully resource our efforts. But I must advise against attempting to pay Blake's cash bail."

Rose's eyes flashed in surprise. "Why would you counsel against freeing him to await trial under house arrest? With the monitoring systems I have access to, we could ensure he never strays from—"

"It's not a matter of capability," Gary interrupted gently. "Paying that excessive bail amount would be self-defeating from a legal strategy perspective. The prosecution would seize on it as 'proof' of an illicit romantic entanglement motivating your actions." He laced his fingers again calmly. "They would argue that no professional relationship could justify those extreme expenditures and efforts.

Freeing Blake on bail could undermine our entire defense before the trial even begins."

Rose rocked back in her chair, absorbing his words reluctantly. As despicable as it felt, she could see the prosecutorial strategy taking shape. "So you're saying I'll have to let an innocent man rot in jail...because involving myself too deeply in his defense will be used to falsely imply his guilt?"

"For now, yes," Gary said with an understanding nod. "I'm sorry, Rose. I know this is an untenable situation and it goes against every instinct you have. But we must carefully pick our battles and sequence our actions for maximum impact at trial." He slid a file folder across the desk toward her. "However, that does not mean we'll be idle in the interim.

This file contains our preliminary findings that will form the core of Blake's defense..."

Rose steeled herself as she opened the folder, scanning the meticulously compiled reports and documentation inside. Despite the circumstances working against them, she could feel the first faint flickers of hope resonate within her once more.

For the next couple of hours, she and Gary methodically analyzed each component, brainstorming ways to amplify the exculpatory evidence and reinforce Blake's defense narrative. The more they reviewed, the more Rose's confidence grew that her unwavering belief in Blake's innocence could be definitively proven in court.

"This is all excellent foundational work," Rose acknowledged, closing the file folder decisively.

"Based on everything we've compiled so far, we have a strong circumstantial defense to undermine the prosecution's case," Gary said, shuffling through the thick file folders arrayed before them. "But I can't help feeling we need more definitive, concrete evidence to cement Blake's ironclad alibishe evening the crime allegedly occurred."

Rose nodded slowly, leaning back in her chair as realization dawned. "You're right, we've been so focused on deconstructing the manufactured evidence against Blake that we haven't zeroed in on conclusively proving where he was during the timeframe in question." She leveled Gary with an intent look. "But I may have the answer for that."

The veteran attorney arched an inquisitive eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."

"Like I said before, the week this event occurred, Blake had been in bed, sick as a dog. But he did step out that evening. He said he needed to stretch his muscles and he was feeling better. So he went to the gym. However, he never stayed long and came back shortly after,"...

..."You recall that bodega we visited downtown, Ana's Market?" Rose began, recounting their discussion about Blake's evening routine. "He told us that he stopped in there around 7:45pm to pick up a few grocery items on his way home from the gym that night."

Understanding sparked in Gary's furrowed brow as he swiftly thumbed through the case notes. "That's right, I have it documented here that the attempted murder was alleged to have occurred between 8:00 and 8:30 that same evening." He glanced back up at Rose, realization settling onto his features. "So if we can validate Blake's presence at Ana's during that preceding window..."

"Then we can definitively prove he wasn't at the crime scene when the act took place," Rose finished with a sharp nod. "Even with transit time accounted for, there's no physical way he could have been the assailant."

Gary exhaled a thoughtful breath, stroking his greying goatee abstractedly as he mulled over the implications. "That's an awfully narrow window to lock down, but you're absolutely right - if we can corner it decisively, that lone piece of ironclad evidence could be the lynchpin for undermining the entire prosecution theory."

"Exactly," Rose replied with newfound determination. "So far we've relied on documenting Blake's financial transactions, security cam footage, gym signature logs, and other digital trails. But those can always be obfuscated or ."

But even Rose could see that Gary wasn't quite sure just yet. Perhaps her presence was distracting and he just went along with everything she said, afraid to lay it bare to her?