Chapter 3

Dead silence filled the office as the words left his lips.

I let out a sudden, mocking laugh, though tears involuntarily welled up in the corners of my eyes.

“Impossible, Julian. I won’t take this case.”

Julian frowned and looked at me. He threatened, “Anastasia, do you remember six years ago?”

My entire body went rigid. What no one knew was that I, now a renowned and respected lawyer, had suffered a brutal assault six years prior.

Julian had risked everything to rescue me, sustaining severe injuries in the process and nearly getting expelled from school. Overcome with guilt, I had tearfully promised to grant him one wish.

Back then, Julian had simply smiled and said, “It was my choice, Anastasia. You don’t need to blame yourself, and I won’t ask anything of you.”

He had kept his word; in the six years since, no matter how much we argued, he had never once brought up that incident. Yet now, for the sake of Eleanor, he was cashing in that favor.

I closed my eyes, my voice hoarse. “Fine. I’ll take it.” After this case, I would no longer owe him anything.

The hearing was scheduled for the afternoon. When the proceedings began, the courtroom was packed, and the online livestream drew an audience of over a hundred thousand. Having spent years representing the vulnerable in court, I was a familiar face to many.

The livestream chat was flooded with bitterness:

[Holy crap! Miss Bennett is defending a cyberbully?]

[I knew it! She’s finally showing her true colors. I’ve never liked her.]

[Agreed. That woman is all about self-promotion.]

Watching the comments scroll by, I tightened my grip on my phone. When I looked across the room, however, I was shocked to see that the plaintiff’s lawyer wasn’t Julian, it was Eleanor. Julian was simply sitting to the side, quietly helping to organize the case files.

My pupils contracted sharply. In the moment our eyes met, Julian sent a message: [Anastasia, Eleanor is young and needs this opportunity. Go easy on her during the hearing, while I give it my all to help her.]

As the meaning of his words sank in, my body began to tremble uncontrollably with anger. Julian intended to use my professional future to pave the way for Eleanor!

A message suddenly popped up in the group chat. My mom sent me a message: [Anastasia, Eleanor came out of the mountains. She is her family’s only hope. You’d better lose this case.]

My best friend also sent me a message: [It hasn’t been easy for Eleanor to get where she is today. Anastasia, your career is already a success, just let her win.]

And last, my brother also sent a threatening message to me: [Be a good girl. We promised to throw a celebration banquet for the young lady.]

The world suddenly fell into a terrifying silence. All I could hear was a persistent ringing in my ears. So, I was the one being cast aside after all...

The case wasn’t difficult, and with Julian’s help, Eleanor won quickly. The moment the gavel struck, the crowd erupted in cheers.

My best friend stepped forward to hand Eleanor a bouquet. My mom hugged her, weeping openly. Then, my brother stood beside her, his eyes rimmed with red.

And in Julian’s eyes, I saw a look of gratification I had never witnessed before.