Chapter 340 Respecting My Daughter’s Wishes
“I remembered everything from the past.” Justin confessed to Gloria. “Rachel is Katie. It’s just that she has lost her childhood memories.”
His words left Gloria absolutely shocked. How can that be!? Rachel is Katie!? “But, five years ago, you…”
His gaze dimmed at those words and a regretful expression lingered on his face. “It’s all my fault. I couldn’t recognize her and even hurt her so badly. If I had known that she was Katie… How could I… How could I have…”
Suddenly, his eyes reddened.
On the other hand, it took a long time for her swirling emotions to settle down.
Gloria had remained by his side for more than twenty years. For that reason, nobody knew what Katie meant to Justin better than her. Katie was practically his one and only belief throughout his earlier years.
He maintained the scar on his face, inherited the Burton Group earlier on, and spent several years plotting to force Hudson Pharmaceuticals into a critical situation. Everything he did was to avenge the ‘dead’ child. Who could have expected that Katie was still alive, much less that she became one of the sacrifices in his quest for revenge?
Fate sure plays cruel tricks. “Do you plan to tell Miss Rachel?”
“Yes.”
She gradually calmed down and shook her head. “Do you think that Miss Rachel will understand the reason for your past actions just because she learns that she is Katie?”
“I only want her to know that I never meant to harm her!”
“You’ve already hurt her.”
Her words were like a basin of cold water that poured on Justin’s heart.
Gloria added, “Five years ago, she was so badly injured that she practically left Riverdale on the verge of death. What does it change even if she learns that she is Katie or that you ruthlessly caused that tragedy for Katie’s sake?”
Those injuries were undeniably real.
Justin was at a loss for what to say and looked depressed. “I know. I know…”
How could he not have considered everything she mentioned earlier?
“Look; I can help you to pass the message, but it will be completely up to Miss Rachel to decide whether those actions are useful.”
On the contrary, he suddenly shook his head and bitterly said, “Forget it. You don’t need to tell her.”
Everything Justin did since obtaining his memories had been a waste of his efforts. If he could turn back time, he wished that he would be burned to death in the forest back then. That way, Rachel would never have met a man like him.
“Gloria, just pretend you didn’t hear anything from me. Please keep this a secret; don’t let Rae find out.”
“Why?”
“If she learns that the person she rescued all those years ago is me, she will most likely hate herself.” He looked around before his gaze landed in the direction of the bedroom. “Is Charlotte asleep?”
He had been recently too busy to take care of Charlotte, so he left everything to Gloria.
“Yeah, she’s asleep.”
“I’m going to see her.”
Looking at Justin’s back, Gloria suddenly felt sad.
Five years ago, she had watched helplessly as everything progressed in an irreversible direction. The only time she had rejoiced over something was when she helped Rachel to leave Riverdale. At the time, she thought that everything would end there. However, Rachel had returned. I should have expected this outcome. A mother will never leave her children behind.
…
The court hearing for the custody rights lawsuit officially began at the Riverdale Courthouse the next day. Both Rachel and Justin were present for the hearing.
Rachel’s representative lawyer was Hernandez, who was a battle-hardened man. He presented his evidence one after another and stated why Justin was not suitable to be a father.
“Just from this recording alone, you can tell that he is a domineering man prone to extreme violence. How can a man like him raise a young girl to grow up in a healthy environment? Also, take a look at this medical report. As far as I know, Mr. Burton, the defendant, has been actively cooperating with a psychiatrist for treatment. Does he have psychological problems? How can he raise his daughter with such problems?”
Justin’s lawyers had tried to intercept on numerous occasions, but they were always stopped by Hernandez. They couldn’t hold back any longer this time around. “Your Honor, I have a question for the opposing counsel. Where did your medical records come from? If they are fake, then you are fabricating evidence. If they are genuine, then this is an invasion of privacy. Besides, all the so-called crimes that you mentioned are nonsense. Mr. Burton raised his daughter alone for five years. He even gave up the idea of remarrying for his daughter’s sake. Is that not a sacrifice? Besides, where was the mother during these five years?!”
Hernandez was filled with righteous indignation. “I told you; Miss Hudson fled Riverdale back then. If she had not left, was she supposed to wait until she was tortured to death instead?!”
“Where is the evidence?! You are spouting nonsense!”
“If we had the evidence, this would have been a criminal case instead! He would be sentenced to jail for his crimes!”
“You’re confounding the public! This is an insult to Mr. Button’s character.”
The lawyers’ debate did not take any form of the so-called affection into account. Their language might be perfectly clean, but every single word they uttered had gouged at the other party’s deepest wounds and exposed the most cruel truth.
On the other hand, Rachel was the calmest person around as she had long mentally prepared herself for the past to be brought up once more, so she was not afraid of these proceedings.
Meanwhile, Justin was unable to look her straight in the eye as he could not bear listening to his lawyers as they slandered her. Thus, he stopped his attorneys and asked, “I would like to say something. May I?”
The judge nodded in acquiescence.
Justin’s tall figure stood up from the defendant’s seat. His face was haggard and unshaven. It had only been two days since they last met each other, but he looked like he had aged ten years during that time. He seemed to have lost his spirit.
His voice was also rather hoarse. “I’m not saying this as the defendant. I just want to speak as a father. I was a terrible husband. I cannot deny that. However, as Charlotte’s father, I wish that she can grow up happy and carefree. Charlotte’s greatest wish is for her parents to remarry each other so that she can have a normal and loving family. I am unable to fulfill this wish of hers, so I feel very guilty.”
His eyes were bloodshot while the pupils were extremely red.
“However, ever since I became Charlotte’s father… From the day I saw that tiny child… She was so small that she could fit in the palm of my hand. So weak, yet so strong. I remember every moment of the past five years clearly. If I win this lawsuit, I will not stop Charlotte from meeting her mother. I will do my best to tell her that both her parents love her very much, but that is all I can do…”
Justin’s voice was choked with sobs at this point.
A man’s tears indicated extreme pain. Not to mention, his words were so sincere that all the jury on the scene were a little moved.
On the contrary, Rachel was completely unmoved.
The judge turned to look at the plaintiff’s seat. “Plaintiff, you may speak.”
She nodded slightly. “Your Honor, I can also portray a sad performance. However, I do not wish for anybody, especially my daughter, to view me as a weak mother. There is no doubt that I love my daughter, so there’s no need for more words. I will respect my daughter’s wishes.”
Her daughter’s wishes? As soon as that statement rang out, the entire courtroom buzzed with discussion.
A figure had entered through the side door at some point in time. It was Jolly and Charlotte.
Justin was shocked. I can’t believe Rachel is so cruel that she doesn’t hesitate to let our daughter witness this lawsuit!
