Xavier~
"What nonsense they were talking about!" Dad's shocked reaction prevented me from finishing my lunch. Bella tried to switch off the TV immediately, but because Dad had already heard the news, there was no point in keeping anything from him. Bella, James, Victor, and I exchanged shocked glances, none ready to answer Dad's questions.
"Bella, could you please explain what's going on?" Dad demanded an explanation from Bella because he hadn't spoken to any of us except her.
Bella raked her saliva down her throat in an attempt to summon the courage to respond to Dad's question, but she refrained from doing so because of her growing fear of his reaction.
"A...act...actually...da...Dad." Her words faltered as she observed a flicker of anger in Dad's eyes.
"Bella, please respond to my query immediately if you want me to continue to have faith in you." He demanded an explanation with full authority in his voice.
Despite my initial lack of confidence in defending Victor in this case, I acquiesced when Bella and Victor compelled me to assume responsibility. However, witnessing Dad's furious expression has already undermined my confidence.
"Dad, John Woods, chose Jorawar Uncle as his lawyer, and..." She looked at my face nervously before finishing her sentence.
"And, Bella, what else?" Dad lifted his brow at her.
"Xavier will be defending Victor in this case." She closed her eyes and revealed the complete truth to Dad.
"Oh my god, what a joke is this!" Upon hearing Bella, he erupted into laughter.
We exchanged looks of confusion as we noticed him laughing loudly.
"Do you honestly think this loser can stand up for Victor in court, Bella?" He placed his palm on his tummy and burst out laughing, causing tears to well up in his eyes.
I bowed my head due to embarrassment after seeing my dad's reaction. He was correct. I am a loser, and I am not worthy to defend Victor. I made an irrational decision after hearing Bella and Victor's motivated words, but the reality is that I am not a worthy lawyer.
"Dad, Xavier is not a failure; in fact, he is a good lawyer and has expertise in handling homosexual cases." Victor noticed my embarrassment, and he tried to change Dad's perspective of me.
"Look who's standing up for that loser!" Dad made Victor the object of his mockery. "I am not amazed by seeing your sudden awakened love for your brother because you are already walking on the same path of betraying your dad like him." He stopped laughing and looked at Victor with anger-filled eyes.
"That's not true, Dad. I made Xavier defend Victor in this case because no other lawyer was willing to take on Jorawar's uncle." Bella tried to ease the tension building on the dining table.
"How could you have so much faith in this man? Why don't you choose to defend Victor in this case?" He appeared to strongly disagree with Bella's decision.
"I have no idea how to handle homosexual cases, Dad." She bowed her head and fixed her gaze on her plate.
"You don't need to worry about that. You should take this matter on your own; I'll help you with it."
My heart bled when I saw how unconfident my father was in me, but I secretly supported his choice since I believed Bella to be a stronger and more assured attorney than I am. I recall how my father helped me improve my argument in court by teaching me how to be a competent lawyer and frequently guiding me in my cases. However, my father no longer liked me and did not want to witness me standing up for Victor.
"Bella, I think Dad is right; you should defend Victor." I expressed my viewpoint in a hushed tone.
"No, Xavier, I can't handle this case. Dad, I already have a lot on my plate, so I can't handle any more stress. Additionally, your health is not in good condition, so I don't want you to be burdened with the stress of defending Victor." Bella refused to defend Victor.
Dad's expression darkened with deep contemplation.
"Hmm... I understand now why you don't want to take charge of this case. It's all right. If you don't want to defend him in this case; then I will defend him in this case." Aggressively, he rose from his dining chair. He finds it difficult to maintain his body weight due to his poor health.
"Why are you acting so obstinately, Dad?" Bella used her arms to support his body before he collapsed to the ground.
"Bella, I have nothing to do with Victor's involvement in this case, but I don't want to lose this case at any cost due to Jorawar's involvement in this case." His voice was so loud that he coughed.
"Dad, please calm down; you have to take a rest now." Bella handed him his medication and asked him to relax in his room.
"Bella, I need you to find a new lawyer for this case. I don't want him to defend Victor in court, as I am certain he will undoubtedly lose and allow Jorawar to ridicule me." He again looked at me with mistrust in his eyes.
"Why don't you guide him in this case?" Bella's voice again reminds me of the wonderful days I spent with my dad. I was his fortune, pride, reputation, and trust at the time.
When someone praised me in front of him, it filled his chest with pride. He never got bored of talking proudly about me with his friends and glorifying me in front of the press. However, a single error destroyed everything, and my dad no longer believes that I am worthy of his trust.
"Don't expect me to guide this man through this case. Victor, I already declared you defeated in this case if you choose him as your lawyer. I wish you all the best, but please excuse me as I need to go to sleep." Dad left no room for discussion.
There was silence in the dining room as his comments continued to reverberate.
"Dad is really angry and hurt with all of us, so you shouldn't take anything he says seriously, Xavier. I do not doubt that he will agree to assist you once his rage has passed." Bella comforted me by holding my hand and stroking it.
"No, Bella, Dad was right; I am a loser. Victor, you ought to look for a different attorney." Dad's remarks shattered what little confidence I still had and caused me much pain.
"You cannot back out now, Xavier, as the first hearing is already scheduled for tomorrow, and we are unable to find a new lawyer in such a short amount of time." Victor pleaded with me.
I sighed deeply, feeling trapped in this situation. Without any confidence in myself, I'm not sure how I'll handle my Jorawar Uncle in court. I studied Victor's case with full concentration and dedication, but still, I am not sure how I will defend my younger brother in court.