Chapter 10

"What?" Mrs. Walker said.

Olivia's voice was shaking, but her gaze stayed steady. "Three years ago, the judge presiding over Nathan's case was William. He gave Nathan seven years, the maximum sentence.

"He used you to force me to leave Alex. Then he personally sent my brother to prison and had people torment him inside.

"From beginning to end, this whole thing was William's setup."

Mrs. Walker's face went completely white. Alex leaned back in his chair, dark fury churning in his eyes. "Mom, there's one more thing. Who told you back then that you could use Nathan's case to threaten Olivia?"

Mrs. Walker's pupils tightened again. She parted her lips, her voice rough with difficulty. "Your aunt. She said... she said young people act on emotion, and if we used her brother's future as leverage, Olivia would definitely give in."

Alex let out a cold laugh. "My aunt is William's wife. What a perfect team."

He stood up and picked up his phone. "It's almost dawn. Mom, go home and get some rest. Olivia, we're leaving."

Mrs. Walker rose to her feet. "Alex..."

Alex turned back to look at her. "Mom, the apology you owe her can wait until her brother gets out. Then you'll give it to her yourself. Right now, I'm going to pay Uncle William a visit."

By the time they walked out of the airport, the sky was turning pale with dawn. Olivia got into the car, her whole body still trembling a little. Alex started the engine and glanced sideways at her. "Are you scared?"

Olivia shook her head. "No. It's hate."

She turned to look at him. Her eyes were red, but there were no tears in them. "Alex, I hate myself for being so stupid back then.

"If I'd told you the truth, if we'd faced it together, Nathan wouldn't have wasted three years of his life in prison."

Alex kept one hand on the wheel and reached over with the other to take hers. His hand was big, warm, and dry, wrapping around hers completely.

"You weren't stupid. You're used to carrying everything alone. You don't have to anymore," he tightened his grip on her hand. "From now on, I'll block every storm for you."

The car drove into the first light of morning. A phone rang. Alex tapped the hands-free answer button.

"Alex." A steady middle-aged man's voice came through, carrying a smile. "I heard you picked your mother up from the airport last night. Mother and son reunited, huh? Why didn't you invite your uncle along?" It was William.

Alex kept his eyes on the road ahead, his voice flat and calm. "Your news still travels fast, Uncle William."

"Ha. Looking out for you. By the way, I hear you're looking into Nathan's case?"

Alex's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "How do you know that?"

William sounded casual. "Someone told me. Alex, let me give you a word of advice. Some things are better left buried. Digging up the past won't do anyone any good.

"Nathan's already been sentenced. Even if you find something, there's no way to overturn the case."

A cold curve touched Alex's mouth. "Uncle William, you're a judge. You know the law better than I do. Section 253 of the Criminal Procedure Act. If new evidence proves the original judgment got the facts wrong, the case must be retried."

The line went quiet for a few seconds.

When William spoke again, there was finally the faintest shift in his tone. "Alex, are you suspecting me?"

Alex's voice stayed level as still water. "I wouldn't dare. I'm stating the law.

"Oh, and Uncle William, Olivia got an email from you. You asked her to come to your office at the courthouse at ten this morning, saying you'd show her evidence related to Nathan's case. Is that true?"

The silence on the other end stretched even longer. Olivia held her breath.

Then William laughed. "I sent the email. I do have some evidence from back then that the court never accepted. Since you two want to investigate, come take a look.

"Ten this morning. My office at the courthouse. I'll be waiting for you."

The call ended.

Olivia looked at Alex. "It's a trap."

"I know," Alex said.

"And you're still going?"

Alex turned to her, something razor-sharp hidden beneath the icy calm in his eyes.