- 7.
Mr. Harrison, carrying a fruit basket, knocked on my door. I opened it, still half–asleep. “What brings you here?” I asked, genuinely curious. After all, he hadn’t even tried to stop me when I left. Why would he come in person now?
His face held a thinly veiled attempt at flattery. “I just felt that talent like yours shouldn’t be wasted. The firm desperately needs someone like you now, so I wanted to ask you to return and lead the team.”
I chuckled lightly. “Talent? I wouldn’t dare claim that. Didn’t our clients say they wouldn’t choose our firm if I stayed? Mr. Harrison, I can’t afford that risk!”
His face grew increasingly awkward, a hint of impatience flickering in his eyes. It seemed he wasn’t genuinely trying to persuade me; there must be some hidden difficulty. But I deliberately played hard to get, wanting to uncover the real reason he wanted me back. “Mr. Harrison, I have a gathering today. Let’s talk another time!” I dismissed him directly, and his expression instantly darkened.
After closing the door, I immediately contacted an old classmate and heard surprising news. “Chloe Sterling agreed to join Sterling & Co., but only on one condition: that you
come back.”
<
15%
I was somewhat astonished. “Would Leo agree to that? After all, Chloe is your firm’s star
now!”
My friend sighed heavily on the phone. “She’s become the star, alright, but clients come looking for her, and she stubbornly refuses to take cases. We’re a bit helpless.”
It seemed my plan had worked on Chloe after all. I put down my phone and scrolled through the recent news. Mr. Harrison’s call came in again. “Stella, I gave you a pretty good deal back then, didn’t I? Now the firm needs you back. How about I increase your previous salary by one percentage point?”
I sneered inwardly. I couldn’t believe Mr. Harrison would go to such lengths for Chloe. Looking at the message the detective had just sent me, I spoke into the phone. “Three percentage points.”
Mr. Harrison agreed almost without hesitation. Seeing that he had no intention of being direct with me, I didn’t bother to ask more questions. Anyway, this time, I was just planning
to be a mascot.
The next day, as I walked into the firm, Ashley looked up at me. “Well, well! You actually have the nerve to come back? Couldn’t make it on your own, I guess?”
I didn’t even glance at her, walking directly to my desk. It had been empty for so long, piled with other people’s things. Mr. Harrison, beaming with pride, walked in with Chloe. He
first led Chloe to what used to be my office, his laughter echoing through the entire firm.
“See that office? Only truly capable people get to be in there, unlike some others.”
Ashley’s acrid voice piped up again. I didn’t hesitate to retort, “Better than some people who don’t even have the qualifications to step inside!” She instantly shut her mouth,
snorting coldly.
After touring the office, Chloe quickly rushed out. Seeing me at my desk, she
immediately came over. “Stella, it’s wonderful that you’re willing to come back! In my heart, you’ll always be the best lawyer. From now on, we’ll fight side by side, and we’ll surely win every battle!” Mr. Harrison stood beside Chloe, smiling. “Everyone, let me introduce you to our new lawyer, Chloe Sterling. Please give her your full support!”
Some were sad, others joyful; the welcoming voices were disorganized. As soon as I returned to the firm, Mr. Harrison assigned us a case. Now, he even had me assisting
23:23 Wed, 20 Aug
<
Chloe. But I didn’t mind. Yesterday, I had met with the detective and finally understood Chloe’s methods. Now, I was going to expose her in public.
