Chapter b72 /b

    +15 bBONUS /b

    I wanted to say it was fine, but it wasn’t. “I’ve been used of many things over the years, but never of murder,b” /bI said. “I know he is grieving but that could cause true trouble for my reputation and my

    practice.”

    If I didn’t need the money so desperately, maybe I could have found it in my heart to forgive him. Even needing the money, I didn’t hate him. But if he didn’t stop this pursuit, I would need to take legal action to protect myself. Though that sounded expensive too.

    I hated this. Even though I agonized over my decision about how to treat Elder Jeffers, ultimately the choice was ced on the elder himself and he had been the one to make it.

    If only Ken could understand that on his own…

    But grief was a terrible thing that made people act in strange ways.

    What troubled me the most however was Olivia standing beside Ken outside. I had seen her interview and knew she was working against me. But to use Ken for that purpose? A vulnerable man who was grieving his father?

    It was just so cruel.

    “She’s encouraging him,” Roger said.

    I nodded.

    Roger sighed. “I hate that it came to this, but…” Roger opened his suitcase and pulled out a single piece of paper. “My father kept meticulous notes. It was in his nature, as a member of the Elder council. He always took great pride in everything.”

    Roger held the paper out for me. “I don’t like going against my brother, but you have done a great service

    to my father and to my family. It’s not fair for Ken to use you of such things.”

    I read through the paper. “Is this…?”

    “Yes,” Roger said. “Shall we go and confront my brother?”

    With a nod, he and I went outside. At the same time, Julian was pushing his way through the crowd. His re was vicious.

    My heart jumped into my throat for a moment, as I entertained a wild fantasy of him wielding his power to protect me. But then, in the next instance, I realized that I shouldn’t want that at all.

    Nor did I need it.

    With this document in my hand, I could take care of myself.

    When Ken and Olivia spotted Roger and me stepping outside, Ken frowned while Olivia smirked.

    “Roger? What are you doing?” Ken asked.

    1 held up the document toward the crowd.

    The crowd quieted, as if sensing that new information was about to be revealed.

    “What is that?” asked a reporter, inching closer.

    “It’s the elder’s will, signed and notarized by awyer,” Roger said, speaking loudly. “It expresses my

    father’s dying wishes, and what should be done in a medically dire situation.”

    “He wanted to return to the goddess,” I said. “It’s in his own hand, witnessed and notarized by an

    attorney.”

    “No…” Ken said, frowning.

    “It’s fake!” Olivia snapped.

    Julian took the stairs two at a time to hurry up to me. He nced at the document, scanning it.

    “It’s legitimate!” he shouted.

    The crowd seemed confused after that, and Ken hesitated speaking into the microphone. Instead, tears

    welled in his eyes.

    Olivia looked at him and then scoffed. She reached for the megaphone, yet before she could take it,

    Julian was there and grabbed it instead.

    Olivia immediately pouted, then ced her hand on his arm.

    Despite their obvious difference in opinion here, Julian did not move away from her. Instead, he whispered something to her that I couldn’t hear.

    My stomach sank.

    Even though Julian was here defending me, he was still clearly with Olivia.

    Julian’s POV

    “You disobeyed me,” I growled at Olivia. “You went behind my back and continued to stir the pot. This is

    an act of disrespect, and I won’t forget it.”