It wasn’t until a chorus of screams erupted outside the courtroom that I snapped back to
reality.
“She jumped!”
My heart clenched, and I rushed out the door. Maya lay in a pool of blood, her dark, wide eyes staring straight at me. It was my fault. I had killed her.
I collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, countless cameras aimed at my face, eager
to capture my panic.
“Did Ms. Hayes take money from the defendant’s side? Why else would she lose four
cases in a row?!”
“Ms. Hayes, is it true you’re leaving the legal profession?”
Chloe emerged, her face filled with sorrow, her eyes red–rimmed. “It’s all my fault. I came back too late. Otherwise, I would have taken Maya’s case, and she wouldn’t have…”
Everyone present immediately understood her implication and began vehemently condemning me.
“It’s all Stella Hayes‘ fault! That girl trusted her so much, and she still lost! This kind of lawyer needs to get out of the legal field!”
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“Poor girl! If it were Chloe, she would have brought the culprit to justice!”
Some agitated spectators physically assaulted me, slamming my head against the wall, once, twice, until blood streamed down my forehead.
“Ms. Hayes also collected a lot of evidence! Maybe she was just too eager to win! Everyone, please don’t get too emotional!” Someone pulled me up, but they couldn’t stop the enraged crowd.
“Stella Hayes, you despicable woman! What dirty tricks did you use to promote yourself before, ruining so many families?!”
“Let’s unite and appeal! Stella Hayes must be expelled from the legal profession!”
Hearing this, Chloe finally stepped forward with a fake smile. She waved her hand,
silencing the excited crowd and reporters. “Ms. Hayes is also an excellent lawyer. Perhaps
her past successes have made her a little careless. Let’s give her a few more chances!” She
added, “And I hope everyone will hold me to the same high standards during this time.”
She even tried to take my hand, feigning camaraderie. But my eyes were bloodshot as I
stared at her, violently shaking her hand away. “Chloe, what methods are you using? That
was a human life, a vibrant life, just now! For your fake glory, are you even human?”
My evidence–whether it was real or not–was probably best known by the very people who wrongly accused me. Chloe lowered her head, feigning grievance. “I know you’re upset about losing the case, but I was just trying to clear my client’s name. I, Chloe Sterling, swear right here and now that I will never wrong an innocent person!”
I ground my teeth, my mind reeling. I lunged forward and slapped her hard. At that exact moment, another sharp crack echoed. Leo had pulled Chloe behind him and slapped *me*.
“Stella, have you had enough? Stop it!” he roared. “If you’re not capable enough, don’t blame others for being better!”
Watching him fiercely defend Chloe, my heart sank even further into despair. His repeated trust in Chloe and his constant belittling of me… I realized he must know the truth, yet he still chose Chloe.
I became completely dejected, losing all the glory I once had as a top litigator. The news
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channels incessantly reported on the “genius lawyer” Chloe, tormenting me repeatedly. Leo never came home after that. I knew his heart wasn’t with me anymore. I called him, but Chloe answered, her voice syrupy sweet. “My mentor, Leo, is asleep.”
Imagining her triumphant face, I forced myself to calm down. Three days later, I learned something from an old friend at Leo’s firm. Suddenly, it all clicked. I knew how to make Chloe reveal her true colors.
I immediately went to the firm and handed Mr. Harrison my resignation. “I will honor my promise. After this defeat, I’m leaving the legal field!”
Ashley immediately sneered. “Mr. Harrison, just let her go. The firm’s performance has dropped significantly lately because of her!”
“Yeah,” another colleague chimed in, “a lot of clients hear she’s from our firm and say they need to reconsider our professionalism!” Even some consulting clients frowned when they saw me.
“Don’t let this woman, who’s nothing but a sham, ruin this industry anymore!”
“If it weren’t so hard to book Chloe, we wouldn’t even consider your firm. Chloe is a legal pioneer!”
“When will Stella Hayes’s license be revoked? She’s already caused someone’s death!”
Mr. Harrison played both sides, his face etched with regret, but his words were sharp. “Stella, it’s not that I don’t want you to stay, but you swore it yourself. If you ever want to come back later, I’ll still consider you!” Seeing his hypocritical act, I said nothing, walking directly to my cubicle. It was covered in sticky notes, plastered with insults and curses.
Someone had even left a wreath on it, yet in that vast office, no one bothered to intervene. I
sneered inwardly. I was quitting. Let’s see how Chloe would grandstand now.
Just as I was gathering my personal belongings to leave, Chloe frantically ran in. She snatched the box from my hands, placed it on the floor, and then, righteous indignation blazing in her eyes, stormed into Mr. Harrison’s office.
