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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
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But watching two people find their way back to each other, That was the victory that really mattered.
Morning arrived quietly over Richmond.
The sunlight that filtered through the tall windows of the mansion was softer than the previous days, almost calm, as if the world itself had finally decided to slow down after the storm.
Inside the kitchen, the atmosphere felt different too.
Not tense.
Not heavy.
Just… normal.
For the first time in several days, Francesco Lee and Leah Williamson were sitting across from each other at the kitchen table.
Breakfast was simple.
Toast.
Scrambled eggs.
Coffee.
But it felt like the most important meal either of them had eaten in days.
Between them, Cheddar the corgi sat proudly on the floor, staring at the table with the intense focus only a dog could manage when food was involved.
Francesco looked down at him and smirked.
"You realize you already had breakfast."
Cheddar responded by wagging his tail harder.
Leah laughed softly.
"He thinks if he stares long enough, something will fall."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"And does it work?"
Leah shrugged casually.
"Sometimes."
Francesco looked down at the dog again.
"Well… not today."
Cheddar tilted his head in mild confusion, as if the answer was deeply disappointing.
The moment felt almost surreal after everything that had happened.
Just a normal breakfast.
Just two people talking.
Just a dog hoping for food.
For the first time since the scandal exploded, the mansion actually felt like a home again.
Leah took a sip of her coffee and studied Francesco for a moment.
"You look better today."
Francesco leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I slept."
"That helps."
"A lot."
She nodded.
For a moment they both just enjoyed the quiet.
Outside, birds chirped softly in the trees that surrounded the property.
The garden fountains in the distance created a gentle background sound.
It felt peaceful.
But both of them knew the peace wouldn't last long.
Leah set her cup down slowly.
"So… today's the court hearing, right?"
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
She took a breath.
"How are you feeling about it?"
Francesco thought for a moment.
"Strangely calm."
"Really?"
He shrugged.
"I didn't do anything wrong."
Leah smiled slightly.
"That seems to be your main strategy."
"It's a solid one."
She laughed quietly at that.
Then her expression softened again.
"I'm glad you fought back."
Francesco looked at her.
"I almost didn't."
Leah blinked slightly.
"What do you mean?"
He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.
"When everything exploded… part of me just wanted to disappear for a while."
Leah listened carefully.
"The media can be brutal."
"Yeah."
"But then Jorge showed up."
Leah nodded knowingly.
"Of course he did."
"And once he started making those calls, everything started moving."
Leah leaned back in her chair.
"Well I'm glad he did."
Francesco smiled faintly.
"Me too."
At that exact moment, Cheddar suddenly perked up.
His ears stood straight.
Then he trotted quickly toward the front of the house.
Leah frowned slightly.
"Did you hear something?"
Francesco listened.
A second later.
The sound of a car entering the driveway echoed faintly through the house.
Francesco sighed.
"Speak of the devil."
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"Jorge?"
"Probably."
Cheddar barked once happily and ran toward the front door.
Francesco stood up.
"I'll get it."
A moment later he opened the door.
Standing outside, exactly as expected, was Jorge Mendes.
He looked as sharp as ever.
Suit perfectly pressed.
Phone already in his hand.
And judging by the look on his face.
Today was going to be busy.
"Morning," Jorge said as he stepped inside.
"Morning," Francesco replied.
Jorge paused briefly when he saw Leah standing in the kitchen.
"Good to see you back," he said politely.
Leah nodded.
"Good to be back."
Cheddar ran over and immediately began sniffing Jorge's shoes.
Jorge looked down at the dog.
"I see security has returned."
Francesco chuckled.
"Very serious security."
Jorge stepped into the living room and placed his briefcase on the table.
But this time his expression turned serious.
"Alright," he said.
Francesco and Leah both looked at him.
"It's time."
Leah folded her arms slightly.
"The hearing?"
Jorge nodded.
"Yes."
He opened the briefcase and pulled out a few documents.
"The court session starts late morning."
Francesco nodded.
"That gives us some time."
Jorge hesitated slightly.
"Not as much as you think."
Francesco frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Jorge walked over to the large window overlooking the front gate.
He pulled the curtain slightly aside.
Then gestured for them to come closer.
Francesco and Leah walked over.
When they looked outside.
They both stopped.
Parked outside the gates of the property were several vans.
Satellite dishes on top.
Camera crews standing beside them.
Reporters pacing near the entrance.
Photographers adjusting lenses.
Leah blinked.
"Oh…"
Jorge sighed.
"They arrived early."
Francesco rubbed the back of his neck.
"How many?"
"More than yesterday."
Leah watched the reporters through the window.
"They've been waiting all morning?"
"Probably."
Jorge crossed his arms.
"Today is the first court hearing."
He looked back at them.
"That means every sports journalist and tabloid reporter in London wants a statement."
Francesco sighed quietly.
"Of course they do."
Leah turned toward Jorge.
"So what happens when we leave?"
Jorge didn't sugarcoat it.
"They'll surround the car."
Leah nodded slowly.
"And shout questions."
"Yes."
Francesco smirked slightly.
"That part I expected."
Jorge looked directly at both of them.
"They're going to ask about the scandal."
No surprise there.
"They'll ask about Sofia."
Still expected.
Then Jorge paused briefly.
"And they'll ask about your relationship."
Leah glanced at Francesco.
"Because of those photos."
Jorge nodded.
The paparazzi pictures from the previous day from Leah leaving the mansion with her suitcase and Cheddar had spread everywhere.
To the outside world it looked like their relationship had cracked under pressure.
Now the reporters would want confirmation.
Or drama.
Preferably both.
Francesco leaned against the window frame.
"So what do we say?"
Jorge answered immediately.
"Very little."
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"That's the plan?"
"Yes."
Jorge spoke calmly.
"The court hearing will speak for itself."
He looked at Francesco.
"You simply say you're focused on the legal process."
Then he looked at Leah.
"And you don't have to answer anything if you don't want to."
Leah considered that.
"I can handle a few questions."
Francesco looked at her.
"You don't have to."
Leah smiled slightly.
"I know."
She paused.
"But I want to."
Jorge studied her carefully.
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
Francesco sighed quietly.
"They're going to ask if we're still together."
Leah looked at him.
"And?"
Francesco shrugged.
"I was planning to say yes."
Leah laughed softly.
"That works for me."
Jorge smiled faintly.
"Well, that will certainly change the headlines."
Francesco walked back toward the kitchen and grabbed his coffee again.
"So what's the schedule?"
Jorge checked his watch.
"We leave in about forty minutes."
Francesco nodded.
"Alright."
Leah finished her coffee too.
The quiet breakfast from earlier had transformed into something else.
Preparation.
The calm before another storm.
Cheddar wandered back into the room and flopped down near the couch like he had absolutely no concern for legal hearings, scandals, or reporters.
Francesco looked down at him.
"Must be nice being a dog."
Leah laughed.
"He has no idea what's happening."
Jorge picked up his briefcase again.
"Lucky him."
Outside, beyond the gates, the reporters continued gathering.
Cameras ready.
Microphones waiting.
Questions already prepared.
For a few minutes after Jorge finished explaining the situation outside the gates, the three of them simply stood there.
Through the tall window, the reporters were still visible in the distance.
Cameras.
Microphones.
Satellite vans.
Every few seconds another photographer adjusted a long lens, pointing it directly toward the mansion gates.
They were patient.
They knew eventually the doors would open.
And when they did, the questions would begin.
Inside the house, however, the mood remained controlled.
Not relaxed.
But steady.
Francesco Lee finished the last sip of his coffee and set the mug down slowly on the kitchen counter.
"Forty minutes," he repeated quietly.
Jorge Mendes nodded.
"That's enough time."
Francesco looked at him.
"For what?"
Jorge gestured toward the hallway leading upstairs.
"To look like someone walking into court, not someone walking out of bed."
Leah laughed quietly at that.
Leah Williamson pushed her chair back and stood up.
"He's not wrong."
Francesco gave a small shrug.
"Alright."
He looked down at Cheddar, who was now sprawled comfortably on the floor like a creature completely detached from the tension surrounding the house.
"You guard the place," Francesco told the dog.
Cheddar blinked slowly.
Leah smiled.
"I think he takes that job very seriously."
Jorge checked his watch again.
"Thirty-five minutes now."
Francesco nodded.
"Okay. We'll be quick."
He looked at Leah.
"Come on."
Upstairs, the house was quiet again.
Sunlight poured through the long hallway windows, casting soft golden light across the polished wooden floor.
Francesco walked toward the bedroom while Leah followed a few steps behind.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The reality of what was about to happen was settling in.
Court.
Reporters.
Questions.
The entire world watching.
Francesco opened the wardrobe and stood there for a moment, staring at the rows of neatly arranged suits.
Leah leaned against the doorframe.
"You've got options."
Francesco glanced back at her.
"Too many."
She stepped closer, scanning the wardrobe.
"Court hearing…"
Her hand moved across several hangers before pulling one suit out.
Dark navy.
Simple.
Clean.
"This one," she said.
Francesco looked at it.
"Why?"
"It makes you look like the responsible adult in the room."
Francesco smirked slightly.
"That's the image we're going for today?"
"Yes."
He took the suit and laid it carefully on the bed.
Leah moved toward the dresser.
"What about the tie?"
Francesco shrugged.
"You're the stylist apparently."
She laughed softly.
A few minutes later, Francesco was adjusting the cuffs of his shirt while Leah finished getting ready herself.
She chose something equally simple.
A clean white blouse.
A dark jacket.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing dramatic.
Just composed.
When Francesco finished buttoning the jacket, he looked at her for a moment.
"You ready for this?"
Leah thought for a second.
Then nodded.
"As ready as I can be."
Francesco took a slow breath.
"Same."
When they returned downstairs, Jorge was already waiting near the front door.
He looked up as they entered the room.
His eyes immediately scanned Francesco from head to toe.
Then he nodded approvingly.
"Good."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"Fashion review?"
"Public image review," Jorge corrected.
He glanced at Leah next.
"And you look like someone who isn't afraid of reporters."
Leah crossed her arms lightly.
"I'm not."
Jorge chuckled softly.
"That's good."
He picked up his briefcase and walked toward the door.
"Time to go."
Francesco looked around the living room briefly.
The house felt strangely calm compared to the chaos waiting outside.
Cheddar lifted his head from the couch the moment he saw them heading toward the door.
The small corgi trotted over quickly.
Leah knelt down and scratched behind his ears.
"You're staying here today."
Cheddar tilted his head.
Francesco crouched down too.
"Guard duty."
The dog wagged his tail enthusiastically.
Leah laughed.
"He definitely thinks he's coming."
Francesco shook his head gently.
"Not today."
He stood up again.
Cheddar followed them halfway to the door before sitting down near the hallway like a loyal little sentinel.
Leah glanced back at him once more.
"Be good."
Cheddar barked once.
Jorge opened the front door.
"Let's move before the reporters realize you're leaving."
The moment the door opened, the distant noise from outside became clearer.
Voices.
Shouts.
Camera shutters.
Even from inside the gates, the press presence was obvious.
Francesco stepped outside first.
The cool morning air hit his face immediately.
Leah followed beside him while Jorge walked slightly ahead toward the driveway.
The car was already waiting.
A dark SUV parked near the entrance of the property.
Francesco glanced toward the gates in the distance.
Even from here he could see the cameras pointing inward.
"They're ready."
Jorge didn't slow down.
"They always are."
Leah walked close beside Francesco.
"You okay?"
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
They reached the car.
Jorge opened the rear door.
"You two in the back."
Francesco nodded.
He held the door open for Leah first.
She slid into the seat.
Francesco followed.
Jorge stepped around to the driver's side.
A moment later the engine started.
As the SUV began rolling slowly down the driveway, the tension inside the car shifted.
Outside the windows, the mansion grounds moved past in slow motion.
Trees.
Garden lights.
Stone pathways.
The place that had felt like a quiet refuge just minutes earlier.
Leah looked out the window.
"They're going to go crazy when the gates open."
Jorge nodded from the driver's seat.
"Most likely."
Francesco leaned back slightly.
"How bad?"
Jorge answered calmly.
"Expect shouting."
Francesco smirked faintly.
"Good thing the windows are up."
Leah glanced at him.
"You're taking this surprisingly well."
Francesco shrugged.
"At this point?"
He gestured vaguely toward the outside world.
"It's just noise."
The car approached the main gate.
Even from inside the property, they could now clearly see the crowd of reporters gathered outside.
Cameras lifted.
Microphones ready.
Some reporters already standing on their toes trying to get a better angle.
Jorge slowed the car slightly.
"Here we go."
The security guard at the gate stepped forward.
He pressed a button.
The heavy metal gates began sliding open.
And instantly.
The reporters surged forward.
Flashes exploded like fireworks.
Camera shutters fired rapidly.
Microphones pressed toward the moving vehicle.
Even through the glass, the noise was intense.
"Francesco! Francesco!"
"Is the relationship over?"
"Leah, are you still together?"
"Did you cheat?"
"Are the accusations true?"
The questions overlapped in a chaotic wave of voices.
Inside the car, Leah blinked at the sudden intensity.
"That's… a lot."
Francesco watched calmly.
"Yep."
Jorge kept the car moving steadily forward.
No sudden acceleration.
No hesitation.
Just a slow, controlled exit.
The reporters followed along the side of the vehicle for several seconds, shouting questions.
Some even jogged alongside the SUV briefly.
But eventually the car moved beyond the gates.
The reporters faded into the distance.
The noise slowly disappeared.
Inside the car, the atmosphere relaxed again.
Leah exhaled.
"Well."
Francesco glanced at her.
"First round survived."
Jorge chuckled quietly from the front seat.
"That was just the warm-up."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"Encouraging."
Jorge continued driving toward the city.
The road stretched ahead toward central London.
Toward the courthouse.
Toward the next stage of the battle.
For several minutes the car remained quiet.
Outside the window, the London streets gradually became busier as they approached the city.
Traffic lights.
Morning commuters.
Pedestrians walking along the sidewalks.
Normal life.
Leah leaned slightly closer to the window.
"Strange."
Francesco looked at her.
"What?"
She gestured toward the street.
"Everyone just going about their day."
Francesco nodded.
"Meanwhile our lives are on every news channel."
Leah smiled faintly.
"Perspective."
Jorge spoke from the front.
"The world keeps moving."
Francesco leaned back in his seat.
"That's probably a good thing."
The courthouse eventually came into view in the distance.
And even from several blocks away.
They could already see the second group of reporters waiting there.
Leah sighed.
"Round two."
Francesco looked ahead calmly.
"Let's finish it."
The SUV continued forward toward the courthouse entrance.
The SUV slowed as it approached the courthouse.
From a distance, the building looked imposing with tall stone columns rising above the entrance, wide steps leading up to heavy wooden doors that had witnessed thousands of cases over the decades. It was the kind of place that carried weight before you even stepped inside.
But what really caught the eye wasn't the architecture.
It was the crowd.
Even several blocks away, the cluster of reporters outside the courthouse was impossible to miss.
Satellite vans lined the street.
Camera crews stood shoulder to shoulder.
Tripods had been planted along the sidewalk like a forest of metal legs.
Police barriers had been set up to hold back the growing press pack, but it was clear that barely anything separated order from chaos.
Inside the vehicle, Francesco Lee noticed it first.
He leaned forward slightly in his seat, looking through the windshield.
"Well… they definitely showed up."
From the driver's seat, Jorge Mendes gave a quiet sigh.
"I told you they would."
Beside Francesco, Leah Williamson leaned toward the window, studying the scene carefully.
She had dealt with media attention before.
Being a professional footballer meant living under a certain level of public scrutiny.
But this was different.
This wasn't a sports interview after a match.
This was a courtroom drama unfolding in real time.
Every camera was there for one reason.
Francesco.
And the scandal surrounding him.
The SUV rolled closer to the barricades.
Instantly, several reporters noticed the approaching car.
One camera swung around.
Then another.
Within seconds, dozens of lenses were pointing directly at them.
"Oh," Leah muttered under her breath.
"They spotted us."
Jorge nodded calmly.
"That didn't take long."
As the car turned into the courthouse entrance area, the reporters surged forward.
Security guards immediately moved into position.
Several uniformed officers stepped between the press and the vehicle, raising their hands to keep the crowd back.
Still, the noise exploded almost instantly.
"Francesco!"
"Over here!"
"Francesco, are the accusations false?"
"Leah! Leah, are you still together?"
"Did Sofia Carter lie?"
The questions came from every direction.
Microphones stretched over the barriers like spears trying to reach the car.
Camera flashes burst repeatedly, reflecting against the SUV's windows.
Inside the vehicle, the noise sounded like a storm hitting glass.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"This is worse than the house."
Francesco nodded slightly.
"Yeah."
Jorge pulled the SUV to a stop near the courthouse steps.
The engine went quiet.
But the noise outside didn't.
If anything, the reporters got louder.
Security guards were now forming a tight corridor from the car door to the courthouse entrance.
"Stay behind us," one officer shouted toward the reporters.
Another guard approached the vehicle and knocked on the driver's window.
Jorge rolled it down slightly.
"They're ready," the guard said.
Jorge nodded.
"Good."
He turned slightly in his seat to look at the two in the back.
"Remember what we said."
Francesco gave a small nod.
"Silence."
Leah straightened her jacket slightly.
"I've got it."
Jorge opened his door first.
The moment he stepped out—
The noise doubled.
"Jorge! Jorge!"
"Is Francesco suing for defamation?"
"Do you have evidence?"
He ignored them all and walked around the car.
Security guards immediately closed in around him.
Then Jorge opened the rear door.
The shouting intensified again.
Flashes exploded like lightning.
For a brief moment, Francesco sat still inside the car, staring at the chaos outside.
He had played in front of eighty thousand fans in stadiums.
He had scored winning goals in the final minutes of massive matches.
But this kind of pressure was different.
Because this wasn't about football.
This was about his reputation.
His life.
And the truth.
He stepped out of the car.
Immediately, the reporters surged again.
"Francesco!"
"Did you cheat?"
"Are you innocent?"
"Did Sofia fabricate the story?"
Cameras fired relentlessly.
Microphones stretched closer.
One reporter even leaned over the barrier shouting:
"Francesco, did you lie to Leah?"
Behind him, Leah stepped out of the car as well.
The moment the reporters saw her, the focus shifted slightly.
"Leah! Leah!"
"Are you two still together?"
"Did the scandal break you up?"
"Did you believe the accusations?"
For a moment the questions flew at both of them simultaneously.
But neither answered.
Just like Jorge had instructed.
They walked forward calmly.
Silent.
Composed.
Security guards moved tightly around them, forming a moving barrier as they guided them toward the courthouse entrance.
The reporters continued shouting.
"Francesco, are you going to apologize?"
"Leah, do you trust him?"
"Is Sofia lying?"
The questions followed them up the courthouse steps.
Flashes continued bursting like fireworks.
But neither Francesco nor Leah looked back.
Neither said a word.
Their silence only fueled the frenzy further.
Inside the entrance, two courthouse security officers opened the large wooden doors.
And just like that, the noise disappeared.
The heavy doors shut behind them with a deep thud.
Inside, the atmosphere changed completely.
The courthouse lobby was quiet.
Calm.
Almost solemn.
The marble floors reflected the soft overhead lighting.
Lawyers in suits walked quietly through the hallways carrying folders and briefcases.
Clerks moved between offices.
No shouting.
No cameras.
No chaos.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"Wow."
Francesco looked around.
"That was intense."
Jorge straightened his jacket.
"You handled it perfectly."
Francesco raised an eyebrow.
"By saying nothing?"
"Exactly."
Jorge gestured down the hallway.
"Courtroom is this way."
They began walking together through the building.
Their footsteps echoed softly against the marble floor.
As they moved deeper inside, the tension slowly returned.
Because the real confrontation wasn't outside with reporters.
It was waiting inside the courtroom.
At the end of the hallway, Jorge pushed open a wooden door.
Inside, several people were already seated.
The courtroom was large but quiet.
Wood-paneled walls.
Rows of benches.
A judge's bench at the front.
And near the center table, a man stood up when he saw them enter.
He wore a dark suit and thin glasses, holding a folder filled with documents.
Francesco recognized him immediately.
His lawyer.
The man walked forward quickly.
"Good morning," he said calmly.
He shook Francesco's hand first.
Then nodded politely toward Leah and Jorge.
"We're ready."
Francesco glanced around the room.
Then his eyes stopped.
Because across the courtroom, sitting at the opposite table was Sofia Carter.
She wore a dark outfit, her expression tense but composed.
Beside her sat her lawyer, quietly speaking to her while pointing at documents spread across the table.
For a moment, the room felt colder.
The entire scandal.
The lies.
The accusations.
It all started with her.
Sofia looked up.
Her eyes met Francesco's.
For a brief moment, neither of them looked away.
Leah noticed the glance.
She gently placed a hand on Francesco's arm.
He turned slightly toward her.
"You okay?" she asked quietly.
Francesco nodded.
"Yeah."
His lawyer cleared his throat softly.
"Let's sit."
They moved toward their side of the courtroom.
Jorge took a seat behind them.
Leah sat beside Francesco.
His lawyer placed several documents on the table.
"The hearing will begin shortly," he said quietly.
Francesco glanced once more toward Sofia across the room.
Then back toward the judge's bench.
Outside the courthouse, the reporters were still shouting.
Still speculating.
Still waiting for headlines.
But inside this room.
Only one thing mattered, which is the truth. And in a few minutes, the courtroom would finally begin to hear it.
______________________________________________
Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 18 (2016)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : 2014/2015 Premier League, 2014/2015 FA Cup, 2015/2016 Community Shield, 2016/2017 Premier League, 2015/2016 Champions League, Euro 2016, Premier League Champion 2016/2017, and 2016/2017 Champions League.
Season 16/17 stats:
Arsenal:
Match: 55
Goal: 87
Assist: 5
MOTM: 14
POTM: 1
England:
Match: 1
Goal: 1
Assist: 0
MOTM: 0
Season 15/16 stats:
Arsenal:
Match Played: 60
Goal: 82
Assist: 10
MOTM: 9
POTM: 1
England:
Match Played: 2
Goal: 4
Assist: 0
Euro 2016
Match Played: 6
Goal: 13
Assist: 4
MOTM: 6
Season 14/15 stats:
Match Played: 35
Goal: 45
Assist: 12
MOTM: 9