"We are here on behalf of Master Archie and Miss Judy on account of the alleged rape. The proceedings will start in the next five minutes and I hope that all of us can have some rest before it begins. May the best man win." The court clerk announced and the proceedings began. "We already know how the drill is done. You state your reason for being here, and then we proceed." The court clerk told them. It was just to set fear in the hearts of everyone present. Judge Lorna already had what she wanted to do in her mind. She was only waiting for the right time before she popped up and switched on them. If they thought that they could go scot-free in a case where she was the presiding judge, they didn't know what was coming for them. "I hope we all have our facts and our works already here. If we don't, then we have missed it all. I have with me various pieces of evidence presented by both parties trying to prove their innocence. I hope that this is truly what it is and that no one is tr
Murmurs filled the courtroom but no one was able to say anything against her order. They were going to behave exactly the way she had said they should. "I will be waiting for each of them to appear. I have already invited them to the court and we are going to get to the bottom of this issue today once and for all." She announced happily. She was always joyful whenever she had the opportunity to free the oppressed. It was later she got to know Archie's real identity. He wasn't the usual person that she thought he was. He was Marshall's son so she was not surprised by the way he was bold to prove his points. It was only people who had something to hide that would shy away from prosecution. She hoped for his step siblings sake that they did not have a hand in this because she was going to go hard on them and not even Marshall would tell her to stop. They tried to tarnish the young man's image everywhere. There were lots of posters and caricatures made of him as people thought he was
The gates of the juvenile home creaked open, and Archie stepped inside, he could already tell the meeting wasn't going to end well as he moved down the narrow corridor. The dull thud of footsteps echoed against the concrete floor. He spotted the living room and his step siblings pacing the room.As he entered his footsteps drew their attention, their eyes locked on him but he didn't flinch, already used to it. There was no warmth, no welcome, just the cold resentment that had festered for years. "Archie," Rhyder’s voice broke the silence, more a statement than a greeting. "Here to play the hero again?"Archie stood still for a moment, his jaw clenched. He could taste the bitterness of the conversation to come, already lingering on his tongue. "I'm not here to save anyone," he finally spoke, keeping his voice even. "Just to hear what's going on."Meg scoffed. "You should know by now. Dad washed his hands of us. Threw us all to the wolves except you right?." Her lips curled, but it was
Archie strode into the office the next morning with an air of command, his footsteps steady against the polished marble floor. The scent of fresh coffee mingled with the leather-bound scent of documents, yet there was something else in the atmosphere- his dominance. He scanned the faces of his employees, his gaze sharp, and his posture upright like a king on his throne.There was no room for forgiveness. With a flick of his wrist, Archie motioned to his assistant. "Gather them," he ordered simply.Soon enough, the ones who had wronged him stood before him. Archie watched them, letting the silence grow thick before he spoke.“Your time here is over,” Archie declared, shocking them.“You can’t just—"Archie raised a hand, palm out, halting him mid-sentence. “This is my company. I decide who stays and who leaves. And none of you deserve to stay.”The others exchanged nervous glances, their bodies tense but none of them.dared speak.One by one, they were led out. As the door clicked shut
“Mom, I’m not about to do anything reckless,” Archie responded, realizing he wasn't going to get through with them; this was something he'll have to do himself.There was no way he would let his step siblings get away with everything they had done they would pay one way or another.Emily’s eyes searched his a bit doubtful he meant what he said. “Archie, I understand your anger, but chasing them won’t bring you peace. You’ve got your life ahead of you. Think about it.” She leaned forward, the tension in her body visible as she reached out, her fingers brushing his arm.“I get it. I’ll keep my head clear.” He forced a smile, a façade he hoped would ease her anxiety.As she turned away, Archie stepped outside, he pulled out his phone and dialed Simon’s number.“Hey, Archie! Everything alright?” Simon’s voice crackled through the line, filled with curiosity.“Not really,” Archie muttered, glancing around to ensure no one was nearby. “I need you to help me keep an eye on my siblings. They’
“Thank you all for being here,” Bailey began, keeping her gaze steady as she stood at the head of the table.. Her father narrowed his eyes. “What’s the point of this meeting, Bailey? You know how we feel about your... decisions.”Ignoring the dismissive tone, Bailey pressed on. “Since I’m taking control of the company. It’s time for a change, and I want to merge with Archie’s business.”The murmurs around the table rose like a tide, disbelief etched across their faces. “You can’t be serious,” her father barked, slamming his hand against the table, causing the coffee cups to rattle. “Archie is beneath us. He doesn’t belong in this world.”“Actually,” Bailey retorted, her voice slicing through the air, “I don’t care about your opinions anymore. I believe in Archie and his vision. He has more integrity than anyone in this room.” She locked eyes with her father, refusing to back down, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “You’re making a mistake,” her mother interjected softly.
When the cameras flashing on Archie increased, he knew that he was already live on television. Every home was tuned into this station, every eye fixated on him.“Hmm,hmm”The throat clearing coughing of the presenter jolted him out of his thoughts. “You said you are who again?” Archie twisted his lips into a smirk as he chuckled lightly. There was sarcasm in the bald headed man's voice. He obviously thought he had come to humiliate himself just as everyone in the world was thinking. He adjusted his sitting position, crossing his legs. “I am Archibald Lockwood. The heir to the Lockwood empire.”The smile on the presenter's face dissipated immediately, becoming replaced with unease, the kind that left his eyes widened, and his jaw agape. Archie could feel the same silence, echoing through the land. The same shock on the presenter's face spread across every face in the land including Bailey's parents' own. It felt good, being a glistening debutante to the world who had undermined him
Archie waited for Bailey at the parking lot, feeling his heartbeat with tension and anticipation. He decided to protect his now grown reputation by standing under one of the trees, so that the darkness can shade his presence. A part of him still felt bad about Bailey's parents and how he had to leave them unresponsive. His heart had been clouded with pain, as memories of the ill treatment he had gotten from them reeled in his head. He drew a deep breath and closed his eyes, attempting to relax his taut nerves. This was the beginning of the end, and now that he had been vindicated, there was nothing left for him to think of. He ran his hand over his pocket, the tiny box was still there. When he opened his eyes he saw Bailey in the parking lots, looking around in search for him. “Hey! I'm here,” he called out loudly, waving his hands to catch her attention. She turned around at the sound of his voice, but when she was still not able to get his direction he walked out from under the