"Do you think Mr. Ewan is right?"
"I am not sure. Doctor Athena doesn’t look like the one who would do such evil. I think Mr. Ewan is confused, or perhaps he received wrong information..."
"Or maybe he is just too desperate to have his children back."
"If it is as you said, then he is a man most miserable."
"You lot are gullible! He must be telling the truth, especially since he ca with proof. Ewan Giacotti is too powerful of a man to be deceived by a hacker. I think our doctor’s deanor contributes to the disbelief—her innocent face is the best tool to mislead people."
"I think you are right. I have always questioned her success story. How does one go from being labeled an illiterate, as they claid she was six years ago, to becoming a certified doctor? And not just that, but a well-known one who discovered the cure for a national pandemic?"
"I’m afraid you are right. We have all placed our lives in the hands of a murderer. She should be arrested and sentenced to life imprisonnt!"
"I think life imprisonnt is too lenient; she should be subjected to electrocution!"
Whispers buzzed like angry bees, escalating into loud argunts that filled the court. Elder Timothy had to strike the gravel four tis to restore order.
"Silence!" He shouted again as the murmurs rose once more, moving to a crescendo of heated debates.
"If you won’t keep quiet, then this case will be handled in the inner chambers!" He threatened, causing a tense silence to blanket the council hall.
Sandro found himself wishing for that very outco; it would certainly spare Ewan the public embarrassnt that was coming soon.
His friend stood tall now, scowling as though delivering justice, but wait until Athena began to speak. He sighed and glanced at Zane.
"You know, Sandro, I wish I could stop what’s coming."
Sandro sighed weakly at Zane’s muttered words, his gaze drifting to Athena. She wore a smile that seed to cast her in the light Ewan was portraying—a look of calculated mischief. His friend would regret this decision for the rest of his life.
"Ewan, please continue your case..." Elder Timothy urged, reclaiming his seat after having stood during the commotion.
"Thank you, Elder Timothy..." Ewan replied, montarily eting Athena’s gaze, his heart sinking as he noted the relaxed composure on her face—a calm echoed by those surrounding her, including that familiar figure he had seen whispering in her ear before.
Who was he? And why was he holding her hand? Ewan subtly shook his head, reminding himself that what Athena did wasn’t his concern—only the kids mattered. After all, hadn’t she given him the green light to co at her with all his might?
"My elders, as you can see in the evidence before you, which includes dates and witness reports, this woman here is unfit to be the mother of my children. I appreciate her for caring for them thus far, but if her influence continues, they will grow up to be hooligans and misfits, and I can’t allow that to happen—at least, not while I’m still alive. They may hate for wanting to separate them from their mother, but I am confident that over ti, I can convince them otherwise."
He paused, casting a glance at the twins.
Nate regarded him blandly, but his daughter, Kate, looked at him with an expression that resembled pity.
Ewan’s heart burned with annoyance. Why was she looking at him that way? He quickly pushed the unsettling feeling aside and forged on.
"You all know the Devil’s Scorpion Gang..."
Ewan’s proclamation brought a deathly hush to the courtroom. People visibly shied away from the ntion of the deadliest gang in the country, so almost wishing Ewan hadn’t uttered their na.
"Well, they are evil, quite alright..." Ewan continued, his voice unwavering. "But this ti, I must admit, they did sothing good..."
Another wave of frightened gasps rippled through the hall.
"So weeks ago, they kidnapped Athena. I didn’t know why initially, but I was part of the rescue team..." Ewan pressed down the unsettling mory of what he had witnessed when he intervened to save her—it wasn’t the ti for such thoughts now.
"Then, two weeks later, my children were kidnapped. Digging deeper, I discovered they were after her because of a certain research—to stop her from causing more harm and earning blood money. It turns out they were hired by soone within the governnt to eliminate her work."
No murmurs arose this ti—everyone was too stunned to react, their minds caught in a whirl of processing his shocking claims, grappling with belief and doubt.
"I don’t know her deal with the Russian mafia or what she is supplying to them. I don’t care actually. I just want her hands off my children." Ewan paused, inhaling deeply as he prepared to make his next point. "Not only is she evil, but she’s also petty, attempting to sabotage my relationship with my fiancée. Once, we had a work dinner..."
Fiona gasped softly, shrinking into her seat. What was Ewan doing? As she thought this, she fumbled through her bag, her eyes widening when she didn’t find her phone. Where was the damned thing?
"Fiona, what are you searching for?" Margaret whispered, observing her daughter’s frantic movents.
Ewan was still speaking.
"I’m looking for my phone. Have you seen it?"
Margaret shook her head. "Maybe you left it at ho?"
Fiona paused, nodding slowly. Perhaps that was it after all—it might be for the best.
"So, Ewan, do you have evidence that Doctor Athena snapped those pictures and sent them to your fiancée?"
"Yes," Ewan responded, turning to Fiona. But she shook her head, disappointnt coloring her features.
"I’m not with my phone. I left it at ho."
Ewan suppressed a curse aid at her and returned his attention to the elders.
"Since there is no evidence, I’m afraid we can’t take that into account," Elder Timothy announced, reviewing the file in his hand, visibly astounded.
Left to his own devices, he would call for the police to bring justice to Athena, but as a judge, he needed to hear from her—this alleged ’evil’ woman.
But before that...
"Ewan, what do you want exactly from this case?"
"I want my kids back." Ewan replied, without hesitation.
"You want full rights?"
Ewan paused, glancing at Athena. Seeing the smirk on her lips, he felt a wave of aggravation wash over him, almost wanting to wipe that smug expression off her face.
"I want full rights. She can only see them once a month! I think that’s best, especially since she might be going to prison after this."
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