An Unfounded Debt のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

"Yara Guthrie, I gave you everything I had, and this is how you repay me?"Jocelyn Guthrie, my elder sister who once treated me like her own child, was shouting in court, completely losing all composure."I sacrificed everything for you! I'm only asking you to give up a small portion of your income to sponsor my son's wedding and for him to start a family, yet you won't even do that? Are you even human?"She was trembling from agitation, tears and snot running freely down her face.The people in the courtroom saw her patched-up clothes and deeply lined face, and their sympathy turned into sharp, condemning looks directed at me.Looking at Jocelyn, worn down by half a lifetime of hardship, looking more like someone in her sixties or seventies, I let out a helpless sigh."Jocelyn, I've told you so many times. I never went to college, and I never received a single cent of tuition from you."My grades were quite good when I was in my senior year of high school, but Mom said the fami

Mom's words were met with nods of agreement from everyone there. The judge looked at me sternly."Yara, do you have anything to say for yourself?"When I remained silent, my younger brother, Andrew Guthrie, immediately jumped in to accuse me."Hmph, nothing to say, huh? Feeling guilty now? Let's see how you argue your way out of this now that we have witnessed and supporting evidence!"I let out a chuckle. "Nothing to say? Andrew, you should know better than anyone who actually took Jocelyn's money!"A flicker of unease passed through his eyes, but he quickly stiffened and shot back,"What nonsense are you spouting? Jocelyn sacrificed her health and money for your college tuition. Now, she's just trying to get justice for herself!"I sneered."Fine. Since you're so sure I went to college, why don't you tell everyone which college I attended? What major did I study?"He clearly had not expected that question.After a brief pause, he blurted out, "You've always resented Mom for

"So, after all that, she never even went to college? Then, where did all that money end up?""Could it be an error in the student records system? I've seen news stories about database bugs.""Did we misjudge her? Maybe she actually never took her sister's money.""That seems unlikely. Her own mother and brother both testified. Could they really be lying?"Faced with this sudden twist, the courtroom erupted into hushed discussion.At that moment, I took out an official letter of dropping out of school and handed it to Jocelyn."Look. I didn't even finish high school. How could I possibly have gone to college, and how could I have spent your so-called tuition money?"Jocelyn trembled. The belief she had clung to for years was beginning to crack."H-how is that possible?"No matter how hard it was for her to accept, the official seal on the letter, along with my name and photo, left her no choice but to believe it.She turned to our mother at once."Mom, didn't you tell me Yara

Mom could no longer hold back.She pointed at me and shouted hysterically, "Keep making things up! Go on! Yara, I never thought you'd fabricate a person who doesn't even exist just to escape responsibility!""I didn't make it up. This person is real," I explained."Who are you trying to fool? Who would just give you money for no reason, and why would you help someone you don't even know? Fine. If this person really exists, say their name!""I promised him I wouldn't," I responded."You won't say it? Did you all hear that? Her lies are getting more and more ridiculous."The judge put on a serious expression."Yara, let me make this clear. In civil proceedings, false statements not only interfere with the case but can also lead to severe legal consequences like fines, detention, or even criminal charges, with a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison."Hearing that, Mom grew even more smug."Think about it, everyone. Jobs are so hard to come by these days. Yara has no co

The entire courtroom fell into silence.Albert was the first to break it, his voice anxious."If everything Mr. Grey said is true, then where did my mom's money go? I need it back. I have to get married!"I turned to look at Mom and Andrew as I replied, "You'll have to ask them."Everyone looked confused. No one could believe that the seemingly plain and unassuming mother and son could have taken over a quarter of a million dollars without a shred of conscience."Yara, this is a courtroom. Don't spout nonsense!"Mom, clearly flustered, pulled Andrew back a few steps.Andrew sized me up with a smug, streetwise look."Yara, you really know how to twist things around. An old man spending huge amounts of money on a young woman out of gratitude? Just think about it... Does that even sound believable?"I raised my hand and slapped him across the face."Andrew, you bastard! You're a lazy good-for-nothing living off others. After stealing hundreds of thousands from Jocelyn, you put t