Chapter 150: The Court Case XIII

Words : 1012 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 150: The Court Case XIII "Six years ago, I 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 come prepared—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, I returned from my studies abroad. Even before dropping in to see my own family, I asked to see Athena," Lucas continued, his voice steady. "She was my best friend and my confidante—the one who had pushed me to study physics, even giving me textbooks 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 joke 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 time to 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 I met Fiona and her father waiting for me by the airport gates. As it turned out, they had orchestrated a fast game on me; Alfonso was friends with some of my lecturers. Together, they had conspired to manipulate my return home for their sinister plan, which they revealed to me right there at the airport." Lucas paused, the weight of his confession pressing heavily on his shoulders. "I refused," he continued, the pain evident in his voice. "Athena was my best friend, and I couldn’t betray her like that. But when they showed me the 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 I did that, I learnt that my brothers were already dead. Fiona had orchestrated their murders just to keep me silent." 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 had to flee," Lucas said, eyes blazing with the intensity of his memories. "I didn’t just run away; I was running for my life. I had absolutely no idea who Fiona might harm next. I later learned she had placed a bounty on my head. So, I became a hunted man, left with no choice but to abandon the very things I held dear." "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. "Are you sure you want that? Because I have it..." Athena interjected, effortlessly silencing Fiona. This time, when her father clasped her hand with his, she didn’t shake it off. Yet the audience was under a misapprehension. Athena possessed no supporting evidence; that was precisely why she had 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. "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 time his 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 Fiona’s hair strand. I had a DNA test done with it for my daughter, Kendra. I did the same for me too. The results came out positive. Kendra belongs to both of us."

Chapter 150: The Court Case XIII

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