CHAPTER 37

Kyle King

 

I arrived at the courthouse with Ava, my mom, and Xavier, who had finally decided to stand by me, but he made it clear that anything that happened, I should accept it. The media houses had heard about the case and were all over the place. Immediately, they saw me, and they rushed over, trying to get a statement. Ava gave one, blaming everything on Tessa. She claimed Tessa was jealous that I chose her and plotted with her family to bring me down. This instigated excitement among the media team, and they asked more questions, but the warning glare from me made Ava keep quiet.

 

We had already had an argument about the case, and she blamed me for being careless. If I hadn't let my guard down and put Xavier in charge, the Roberts wouldn't have found out about the money. I wanted badly to agree with her, but it wasn't Xavier`s fault but mine alone.

I made a mistake, and I was going to pay badly for it. Ava didn't agree and promised to fight the Roberts family if they tried taking any of our properties. She couldn't imagine herself returning to her father and begging for assistance, not after she had insulted him and warned him never to visit our home.

Attorney Smith led us into the courtroom, and the proceedings started. I was called several times to answer questions and defend myself, but Robert`s attorney was brilliant and ended up placing a judgement on my case before the judge came to a conclusion.

A red-haired lady was also called by the attorney to explain the contract details and how Robert`s family discovered I was moving the profits to my personal account. Attorney Smith questioned her, and she provided evidence to prove her statements. I thought she looked familiar, but I didn't care. 

The Robert family had come prepared. After a thirty-minute recess, the judge read out my judgement. I was to repay the twenty million dollars for the project, pay a settlement of ten million dollars, and return the profits, which were five hundred thousand dollars. The judge also stated that the Roberts family was willing to collect the house and cars as a settlement for the ten million dollars. I was given ten days to settle, or I will be thrown in jail.

I gasped. I couldn`t be homeless at this point, and no, not the cars. Ava won't even let them take her Corvette. The judge ended the case and walked away. Attorney Smith breathed deeply and advised me to hand over the house and cars. I still had the condo and the company's car, so it wasn't bad, but I reminded him that I still needed to repay the twenty million dollars.

`I am sorry, Kyle, but I think you will have to sell the condo and those bonds you have with the banks. That's the only way you can repay them, or else they will arrest you,Attorney Smith said, leading me outside the courtroom.

I sighed. I couldn't lose everything and return to zero. No. There has to be another way.

`Can`t I meet them for some form of arrangement? If I sell the house and condo, I will have to move to my mother's house, and I don't think Ava would like that.`

He chuckled. `You should be thankful they didn`t push for your arrest. What you did was wrong, but if you feel speaking with them would help out, then try. I will be waiting here.`

I strolled towards them. The red-haired woman was talking excitedly to a police officer. I wondered if it had to do with me.

`Hello, please, I would like to speak to Mr. Robert.` I said, staring at the red-haired lady. Her face was concealed with big black sunglasses and a hat, so I couldn`t capture her face.

 

She replied coldly. `He's busy. If you want to speak with him about the court judgement, forget it. We aren't changing our decision, Kyle King!`

I felt the coldness and the anger in her words, but that didn't stop me from pushing it. 

`I am deeply sorry for everything, Miss. Please, I really need to speak with him or James.` I said, scanning the crowd for them, but I didn't see them, which means they were in the car. 

`Nice. You finally learned to apologise, Kyle, but trust me, it doesn't suit you.` she chuckled. `Anyway, you can't see them because they`re in a meeting at the moment. Have a good day.`

Wait. Did she just say I finally learned to apologise? That means she knew me. But, who was she? An old client? An old employee? 

I started to ask where she knew me from when James stepped out of the vehicle. He didn't seem pleased to see me.

`Sis, please, get into the car. Dad wants us to visit one of his family friends before heading home,` he said, signalling to Chauffeur to open the other side of the car.

I stared at the lady as realisation hit me. Tessaa! She looked different. 

`Tessa. Is that you?` I asked, holding my breath.

She flashed a wicked smile. `I don't answer questions from criminals. I hope we meet again, Kyle King. Enjoy your life!`

`Yeah, Kyle. Don`t be shocked. Tessa has been with us for months, unlike what your sister told you. We annulled the dissolution and forgave her for marrying a criminal. As you can see, she's better and more beautiful than when she was living in your house. Anyway, you don't need to know the details. You have ten days to pay everything, or you will be sleeping in a bunk in Dell Prison,` he said, entering the car.

I wanted to speak, but my lips could not form any words. I watched their car drive off while Xavier walked towards me, demanding to know what happened.

I had nothing to say because I also didn't understand what happened.