Chapter 150: The Court Case XIII
"Six years ago, | never slept with Athena," Lucas started, clasping his hands behind his back, resolutely ignoring
the murmurs that erupted once again after that bold declaration.
He had cprepared—prepared to withstand any insult, any blame, any punishment at all—if it would grant
him the custody of his daughter.
Athena had allowed him a video call with Kendra, a heartwarming experience he would cherish forever.
At first, the little beauty had been hesitant, her voice tinged with uncertainty, but in moments, she had
transformed. Laughter had flowed freely, and the sound of her joy had brightened the dim shadows of his
memories.
Her laughter kept him focused straight ahead now, his composure unwavering, even as a sharp shoe landed
squarely on his right cheek.
Yet Lucas didn’t bother twisting around to see who had thrown it, nor did he ponder who had called him stupid,
nor did he wonder why Athena was letting the congregation stone him shoes. No, he kept his eyes locked on
Elder Timothy. After all, Athena owed him nothing. If anything, it was he who owed her.
"Six years ago, | returned from my studies abroad. Even before dropping in to see my own family, | asked to see
Athena," Lucas continued, his voice steady. "She was my best friend and my confidante—the one who had
pushedto study physics, even givingtextbooks from her collection..."
"Collection? What collection? We were told she’s an illiterate!" A voice echoed from the back, piercing through
the gathering’s thick tension.
All eyes turned toward Zack, who, until that moment, had remained inconspicuous, hidden in the crowd.
Zack said nothing in defense. Instead, he fiddled nervously with his hands, his gaze falling to the floor in an
attempt to disappear.
But Lucas laughed, a rich sound that grated against the oppressive atmosphere. "Illiterate? That must be the
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtjoke of the century! Athena is anything but an illiterate. She's a genius, despite the circumstances that took her
away from school."
Ewan paused, his lips pursing thoughtfully. This explained everything—the extraordinary academic prowess
displayed in Athena's records. Yet, what circumstances?
He had never taken the tto uncover why his wife had been deemed illiterate; he had been too caught up in
his passionate disdain for her, viewing her as a player in her father’s twisted game.
He expected Lucas to elaborate on the circumstances behind Athena's situation, but instead, Lucas continued
recounting the events of six years ago, weaving a narrative that held everyone captive.
"I was hurrying to meet Athena at the hotel she had booked for my stay when | met Fiona and her father waiting
forby the airport gates. As it turned out, they had orchestrated a fast gon me; Alfonso was friends with
sof my lecturers. Together, they had conspired to manipulate my return hfor their sinister plan, which
they revealed toright there at the airport."
Lucas paused, the weight of his confession pressing heavily on his shoulders.
"| refused," he continued, the pain evident in his voice. "Athena was my best friend, and | couldn’t betray her like
that. But when they showedthe video of my younger brothers in captivity, my resolve began to waver." His
voice was strong, yet tinged with the ache of regret. "I was young, scared, desperate to protect my family."
Ewan felt a knot tighten in his stomach, terror mixing with anger towards Fiona. How could she do this? How
could she wield someone else's fear as a weapon in her twisted game? Of course, it was now alarmingly clear to
him why Fiona had taken such a path of despicable choices.
"I did as she commanded," Lucas continued, and a flash of hurt crossed his features. "I stabbed Athena in the
back." Each word hung heavily in the air, laced with the bitterness of remorse. "But days after | did that, | learnt
that my brothers were already dead. Fiona had orchestrated their murders just to keepsilent."
Another shocked silence enveloped the hall, disbelief hanging thickly in the air like a dense fog. Margaret sat
transfixed, struggling to absorb the weight of this shocking confession. How could her husband have turned their
daughter into a murderer? Why? For what?!
I" [1 :
| had to flee," Lucas said, eyes
blazing with the intensity of his
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memories. "lI didn't just run away
was running foramy)ire) h&d
ABBY no idea who Fiona might
harm next. | later learned she had
placed a bounty on my head. So, |
beca hunted man, left with no
choice but to abandon the very
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"He's lying! Where's your proof?!" Fiona’s voice rang out, accusing and unhinged, like a madwoman prepared to
fight for her dirty possessions.
I"
Are you sure you want that?
PB I
Because | have it..." Athena om
interjected, effoptle3difdilencing
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Yet the audience was under a
misapprehension. Athena possessed
no supporting PAN SOR was)
) co Sh
Pregpelipsne d kept this piece
of the story for last. She understood
her enemies would be too
intimidated by the earlier evidences
to doubt her claims now. The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
"Why have you returned now?" Elder Timothy asked then, his tone pressed with curiosity but buoyed by caution.
His gaze scrutinized Lucas, as if assessing his intentions.
"I'm here to make amends," Lucas declared, this this voice firmer, as he reached into his pocket.
Anticipation surged through the crowd like a wave as they wondered what he wanted to bring out from the small
breast pocket. A memory card? Another piece of evidence?
Then, as if in slow motion, Lucas pulled out a neatly packaged strand of hair, holding it high for all to see. "This is