Chap-189*The Game Has Begun Now.*

Cynthia Dion: It struck me as amusing how everyone readily gave him a pass when he claimed that I had seduced him into committing the unforgivable act of killing his own child. It seemed as though they believed his excuse somehow mitigated the gravity of the crime. Maleeka, driven by an unhealthy obsession with him, appeared willing to go to extreme lengths, even contemplating self-harm, whenever Atticus spoke against him. "Stay back from my wife!" Atticus thundered in his deep, resonant voice, effectively preventing Mr. Holt from advancing any further. Determined not to become a victim of physical aggression, I stood my ground. Though I braced myself for a potential attack, Atticus' protective stance ensured Mr. Holt couldn't simply just raise his hand on me anymore. While I anticipated his reaction to the damning recording, I remained prepared for any assault. "Get away from me!" Maleeka witnessed Atticus defending me, and the sight stung enough to provoke her into shouting at him an