Chapter 179: Custody Court II

"Your Honor, I’m their family maid. I’ve been working for them for around seventeen years—since the young lady was born—and in all that time, I’ve never once seen them harm her in the slightest," said Emily, their maid.

Even though Tiana had expected this answer, hearing it still made her feel a bit hurt. Emily was like an aunt to her, and she’d held onto hope that Emily might support her until the very end.

But in the end, it seemed like she was just a servant of the family.

On the other side, Donald frowned slightly. They only had Tiana’s words as evidence, while the other side had multiple witnesses and pieces of testimony.

Still, not everything was against them. They still had a chance.

"Next witness," the judge said after hearing their statements.

"Hello, Your Honor. I’m Robert, the family’s driver, and I’ve also worked for them for around seventeen years. I can say that ever since the young lady was born, Mr. and Mrs. have poured all their love and care into her. I’ve never seen them hurt or even upset her," Robert explained—but there was a kind of sorrow and guilt visible in his eyes.

Even though the others didn’t notice that guilt, the judge did.

"Are you sure about what you’re saying?" the judge asked, pressing him.

Robert didn’t respond right away. He glanced at Tiana first—he could see the pain in that girl’s eyes.

Of course, he was lying. He’d seen firsthand how Klein and Liz mistreated and even exploited their daughter.

But they had told him that if he didn’t say what they wanted in court, they would fire him—and even sue him, forcing him to pay hundreds of thousands of Zen in damages.

That kind of penalty was far beyond what he could afford. It would ruin him.

And yet, seeing the eyes of the girl he’d watched grow up like his own daughter... he couldn’t. He really couldn’t bear that guilt anymore.

"Of course he has nothing more to say, Your Honor, haha," Klein quickly cut in when he noticed his driver hesitating.

He knew Robert’s nature and was aware that if he was pressured too much, he’d definitely spill everything.

"I think this is the second time I’ve told you not to speak out of turn," the judge shot a cold glare at Klein.

Klein trembled again out of fear, but this time it wasn’t just a warning—the courtroom doors opened.

"Get out."

"Your Honor, I made a mistake! I promise I won’t speak again! Please, have mercy!" Klein, clearly terrified, gathered the last of his courage to plead.

"I’m telling you for the last time. Get out—or I’ll throw you out myself," the judge said with eyes full of cold authority.

Klein didn’t dare say another word. He looked at Liz, who gave him a nod, and he left the courtroom.

On the other side of the room, Daniel, Liana, and Alice could barely hold in their laughter.

Who would’ve thought this idiot would dig his own grave?

"Well then, Mr. Robert, now you can speak freely."

Robert nodded and began telling the truth—how Klein and Liz had always mistreated their daughter, treated her cruelly, and even exploited her status as an Awakened.

With every passing second, Liz and her lawyer’s expressions grew darker and uglier. She was barely holding herself back from yelling at Robert.

But she knew if she lost control now, the judge would throw her out too—so she clenched her teeth and stayed quiet.

"I see. Thank you very much for your help, Mr. Robert," the judge said, then motioned for him to sit.

"Alright, young lady, now it’s your turn." His eyes turned toward Tiana.

Tiana stood with some nervousness and anxiety. She clenched her fists and started to introduce herself with a bit of fear in her voice.

"Your Honor, I’m Tiana, daughter of those two."

"Tell me—do you love your parents? Do you want to go back to them? Stay with them? Or would you rather stay with your current family?"

"Your Honor, even with everything my parents have done to me, deep inside all the hatred I have for them, there’s still a drop of love left. But I never want to go back to them again. I’d rather die."

"In all my seventeen years of life, I only lived for one month—and that one month was the past month I spent with the Noir family," Tiana explained.

Her words brought tears of joy to Liana’s eyes.

But at the same time, it enraged others—especially Liz.

"You little piece of trash, how dare you?! I raised you for all these years! I paid for everything! And now you’re kissing up to some whore like it’s nothing?!" Liz started yelling.

"Whore? You’re the whore, you trash! How could you spend all these years hurting your own daughter, even using her for your own gain? How can you call yourself a mother? You’re just garbage that should be torn to pieces!" Liana couldn’t take it anymore and stood up.

"Shut your filthy mouth! This is all your fault! You brainwashed my daughter! I swear I’ll kill you with my own hands!" Liz shouted back.

"Haha, you wanna kill me? I’d love to see you try! Unlike you, who just runs her mouth, I’m all action. If you have the balls, come here—oh wait, that’s right. Whores only know how to spread their legs!" Liana said with mockery.

"..."

The courtroom fell completely silent after her words echoed through the room. Even the judge gave Liana a strange look.

He hadn’t expected this woman to be so terrifying.

However, a chilling aura suddenly leaked out from the judge and shut everyone up.

"Normally, I’d throw you out—but since the hearing is over, there’s no need," the judge said, then slammed his hand down on the table.

Everyone went quiet, holding their breath.

Even Liz, frightened by the judge’s aura, sat silently—waiting for the verdict. But she knew the result wasn’t going to be in their favor.

Still, even if that happened, she wasn’t worried. They still had one final card to play: a contract they had forced Tiana to sign when she was younger.

That contract tied Tiana to their company—so even if they lost custody, they could still control her.

"My judgment is done. The result is..."