Chapter 4

I woke to the smell of disinfectant in the hospital.

My right hand was encased in a thick cast, immobile and throbbing with excruciating pain.

Two men in black stood guard at the door of my room.

Chloe had me imprisoned.

When she pushed the door open, she was wearing a sleek business suit, her makeup flawless. She was back to being the brilliant, golden-girl lawyer.

She placed a gilt-edged invitation on my bedside table.

It was for her law firm's opening celebration party.

Tonight.

"Alex, all you have to do is publicly apologize to me and Blake at the party, admit that everything before was a malicious accusation driven by your unrequited love."

She looked down at me, her tone condescending, almost charitable.

"And we'll let bygones be bygones."

She even offered a magnanimous smile.

"For old times' sake, I can arrange a quiet administrative position for you at my firm."

"Fifteen hundred a month, that should be enough for you to live on."

I looked at her, at the face I once adored, and suddenly felt utterly alienated.

I slowly forced a smile, one that was submissive, even a little fawning.

"Okay."

"I'll apologize."

She seemed pleased by my "sensible" decision, a slight upturn of her lips. She turned and walked out, her heels clicking on the floor.

She nodded in satisfaction.

"Smart move. You've finally come to your senses."

On the night of the party, bodyguards "escorted" me to the venue.

The city's legal elite were all there, and the media's camera flashes were blinding.

Chloe and Blake stood on stage like a perfect, dazzling couple, basking in everyone's congratulations and flattery.

I, like a defeated captive, was "invited" by her assistant to the most inconspicuous corner of the hall.

Finally, it was time for the highly anticipated "apology" segment.

The host announced in an enthusiastic tone, "Now, please welcome a special guest, Mr. Alex Harper, to say a few words."

All eyes instantly focused on me.

There was pity, disdain, and schadenfreude from those eager for drama.

I calmly walked onto the stage and took the microphone.

Chloe stood beside me, giving me a warning look, silently telling me to behave.

I bowed deeply to the sea of faces and the countless flashing cameras below.

Then, I pulled a hospital injury report from my pocket.

"I, Alex Harper, am formally filing a lawsuit for intentional assault against Mr. Blake Sterling here today."

"Furthermore, I will be filing an indefinite lawsuit against Mr. Blake Sterling and all companies under his father's name for tax evasion, corporate fraud, and all other illegal activities."

My voice, amplified by the microphone, echoed through the entire ballroom.

The hall erupted in chaos!

Reporters' flashlights flared frantically.

Chloe's face drained of color. She lunged for the microphone, but I turned and stepped clear.

I looked at her panic and made my second announcement.

"Second, I have formally accepted an offer to join Morning Star Law Firm as a junior partner."

"My first case will be my own."

The hall exploded!

Everyone knew Morning Star was the archrival of Chloe's firm, locked in a bitter feud.

As the crowd stared, a woman in a sharp white suit walked onto the stage, heels clicking with purpose. She came straight to my side.

Her presence was commanding, her gaze razor sharp.

"Hello, I'm Sierra Hunter."

Chloe went sheet white the moment she saw her. She rushed the stage.

"Alex, you wouldn't dare!"

But before she could reach us, several of Sierra's security personnel calmly blocked her path.

Every eye in the room shifted from Chloe to the woman standing beside me.