Chapter 154: The Court Case XVII

Words : 1069 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 154: The Court Case XVII The black cells were a myth, a legend—supposedly bedtime stories used to scare children into obeying their parents. Because the actual location or condition of these cells remained a mystery to researchers, people had dismissed them as just another conspiracy theory about the government and how lethal they could be to prisoners at one point. Most folks were plainly unconcerned because they weren’t terrorists, after all. The government had no scores to settle with them. And that’s why Fiona burst out laughing, echoing her father’s sentiment; there was a noticeable subtle tug at the corners of his lips. Ewan, however, couldn’t afford the luxury of laughter; he was battling pain. He thought it was foolish for Fiona to laugh though, especially given the chilling way Athena had articulated her desire for justice against her enemies. "Is something funny, Fiona?" Athena asked, her voice colder than ice. Fiona cackled even louder, speaking between fits of laughter. "The black cells? Do you think I’m a child to be scared of them? Don’t you have another trick up your sleeve?" Athena didn’t bother to respond. Instead, she turned to Elder Timothy. "Do I have the elders’ permission to take Fiona and her father away? I can punish them for the council." But Elder Timothy was too startled to speak, just like the audience. Unlike Fiona, they took her words seriously. Without waiting for a response, Athena signaled to Eric and Shawn to do what was necessary. The men nodded and stepped forward from the audience, moving into the space before the elders’ platform. However, upon noticing the seriousness on their faces and the strange gait in their movements, Fiona realized that, perhaps, Athena really had access to the black cells. This was the perfect moment to act! She sprang to her feet and pushed the desk with all her strength, amazed as it quaked on its hinges. "How dare you, Athena? Constance is going to deal with you!" She shouted thereafter, roughly pushing her father aside as she stormed out from the bench seat. Without hesitation, she charged at Athena, who stared at her with a blank expression and a raised eyebrow, wondering what this new act was about. But before Fiona could reach her, Eric seized her from behind. "Let Constance go!" Fiona screamed, clawing at Eric’s face. Fortunately, he was quick enough to hold her hands captive. "Does she have multiple personality disorder?" One of the onlookers whispered. "I think so," Another replied. "That could explain how she can be both evil and pretend to be good at the same time. It must be a side effect of the drowning incident." "You fools! This is just an act! She is trying to escape justice, but that will not happen!" "You think so?" "I know so! That woman is worse than vermin! I hope the elders see this for what it is..." Elder Timothy, watching Fiona behave like a madwoman with multiple identities, felt suddenly weary, as if he had aged an extra ten years just from witnessing this spectacle. "Athena, please take her away. I’m sure she will be cured in the black cells," He said with fatigue. Athena smiled and bowed, but Fiona shrieked loudly, so piercing that many people covered their ears. "You won’t take me anywhere! Athena, fight Constance like a woman!" Ewan staggered to his feet then, drawing attention to himself. With what little strength he had left, he resolved to bring this agonizing case to an end, having heard the final say about the twins. "Let her go..." He said to Eric. Eric glanced at Athena, who nodded her head, and he released Fiona from his grasp. Athena pursed her lips as she watched Ewan stagger out of his seat like a drunken man, his head slightly tilted upward. She knew exactly what was happening. The foolish man had taken more medication than she had instructed, thinking it would speed up his recovery. The disobedient fool! She cursed mentally, clenching her fists as Ewan approached Fiona. "You can take Alfonso..." Ewan said, looking at the man. Alfonso fell to his knees and crawled toward Ewan. "Don’t touch me!" Ewan shouted, or rather tried—for because he was so weak, his voice was the same. Alfonso stayed on his knees, looking up at Ewan like a loyal dog. "Please have mercy on me!" Ewan couldn’t even shake his head in response. "Save your pleas for Athena," He replied before turning to Athena. "You can take him. For Fiona, I’ll take her. There is a psychiatric clinic where I can keep her. I’ll ensure she is cured and that she doesn’t disturb you or the children again." He spoke, utilizing his last ounce of strength. Fiona held back a smile. The plan had worked. Morgan could break her out later. It was too bad her father was going to the black cell. Though she didn’t know what happened there, just the name gave her the creeps. Athena shrugged her shoulders, satisfied as long as she was free from Fiona’s antics. She gestured to Shawn, who then pulled Alfonso up off the floor. "Let’s go..." Alfonso wouldn’t move. He turned to Elder Timothy to plead for help, but the elder was already rising from his seat, ready to leave the hall. When Alfonso saw that his old friend wouldn’t aid him, he turned to Zack. "Zack, please..." Zack cursed him and got up from his seat. "Don’t ever call my name again..." He said before leaving the hall, grumbling about his poor decisions from six years ago. If those idiots hadn’t framed Athena, would he even be in this precarious situation? By now, he would have been a richer man, still in control of Ewan and his daughter. Margeret was the next person Alfonso turned to. But Margeret, crying, stood up from her seat and ran out of the hall, devastated at being bereaved of her two closest people. Then Alfonso turned to his daughter, but Fiona wouldn’t even spare him a glance. He knew she was faking the mental episode, but he thought it wise to show her his last love as a father, uncertain if he would survive what lay ahead. Hence, he kept quiet and surrendered, allowing Shawn and Eric to escort him out of the council. Ewan, suddenly slumping to the ground, however, halted everyone in their tracks.

Chapter 154: The Court Case XVII

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