Chapter 1
To preserve his precious star’s perfect hundred–win record, my husband stole my legal files, ensuring I would suffer a devastating
defeat in the most important case of my life.
He felt no guilt. He just tossed a credit card at me.
“The world only needs one top female lawyer, Charlotte. Abby’s career can’t have a single loss. So, just quit the bar. I’ll take care of
you from now on.”
On his orders, I was blacklisted from the entire industry.
The next time I appeared in court, it was for a divorce.
And I was both the plaintiff and my own counsel.
Standing in the courtroom again felt surreal, a ghost of a life I once knew. Across the aisle, Abby Monroe stood in a razor–sharp
power suit, her expression dripping with contempt..
“No lawyer, Charlotte? Still as overconfident as ever. I made you lose once, I can do it again. You’re really going to these lengths just
to get Ethan’s attention, aren’t you?”
Ethan Bonerz stood beside her, his face a thundercloud. He just stared at me, his jaw tight, saying nothing.
Compared to their bustling legal team, my solitary presence felt stark and cold. I arranged my documents, then met her gaze with
a calm, deliberate smile.
“Abby, do you really want me to remind everyone here how you actually won that case?”
Her arrogant smirk froze on her face.
I ignored her, closing my eyes to prepare. It was a ritual I’d maintained since my first day in the profession: arrive early, shut my
eyes, and mentally walk through the entire trial. Breathing in the familiar scent of polished wood and old paper that clung to the
courtroom, a wave of calm washed over me.
But my meditation was rudely shattered.
Ethan strode across the aisle, grabbing my wrist and pulling me to my feet. He pursed his lips, still affecting that condescending air
of his.
“Withdraw the petition. Come home with me, and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”
The warmth of his skin against mine was a lie. Underneath it, I could feel a tremor, a faint, almost imperceptible shaking.
I wrenched my hand away. “Defendant, please respect the plaintiff.”
He stared into my eyes, rooted to the spot. After a long moment, a bitter, self–mocking smile twisted his lips.
“You’ll regret this, Charlotte.”
In the business world, he was known for his bold, decisive moves. Here, in the courtroom, he was a man of few words, letting Abby do all the talking. She acted as his sole representative, her questions coming like a volley of arrows. Seeing my silence, she seem- ed to smell victory, landing her final blow with a sneer.
“You haven’t improved at all.”
When it was my turn, I wasted no time on speeches. I presented my evidence directly.
“The defendant is the at–fault party due to adultery during the marriage. Pursuant to state family law, I request an immediate, final decree of divorce.”
