Between Justice and Desire
Clara Ashford is one of the most respected family lawyers in the city. Brilliant, composed, and relentless in court, she has built her reputation helping families survive their darkest moments. Love, however, has always been the one case she refuses to take.
Everything changes when she attends her best friend Alena's wedding.
As Alena's bridesmaid, Clara is forced into a bottle-green dress she secretly hates. Standing across from her is Axel Winchester, Dominic's best man, equally miserable in a black suit, black shirt, and bottle-green tie. Their shared dislike of the wedding colors sparks an unexpected conversation, followed by stolen glances, laughter, and a night neither of them anticipated.
What begins as a chance meeting soon grows into something neither of them can ignore.
But fate has a cruel sense of humor.
Just as Clara and Axel begin falling for each other, they discover they are standing on opposite sides of a bitter legal battle. Their clients are entangled in a case filled with secrets, betrayal, and accusations that threaten to destroy more than one family. Every courtroom victory for one means a devastating loss for the other.
As professional duty collides with undeniable attraction, Clara and Axel find themselves questioning everything they believe about loyalty, justice, and love.
Can two lawyers protect their hearts when their careers demand they become enemies?
Or will the very case that brought them together become the reason they lose each other forever?
In a world where every word can become evidence and every truth has two sides, Clara and Axel must decide whether love is worth risking the verdict.
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Chapter: Chapter 92 — The Cost of LeavingBeatrice Morgan had always believed that the most expensive part of a wedding would be the dress.She had been wrong.The dress was hanging untouched in the spare bedroom. The flowers she had carefully selected would never decorate the ceremony. The photographer's booking had been canceled, the invitations had already been sent, and the lakeside hotel where she had imagined walking down the aisle now existed only as a collection of photographs on her laptop.But the bills remained.Three days after her consultation with Axel Winchester, Bea sat at her dining table with a calculator, a notebook, and a stack of invoices spread before her.She had barely slept.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Adrian's face when he admitted the truth. Worse still, she remembered Celeste standing beside him, one hand resting protectively over her stomach.Her younger sister.The same woman who had accompanied her to wedding dress fittings and helped her compare flower arrangements.Bea pressed her
Last Updated: 2026-10-23
Chapter: Chapter 91- The Wedding That Never HappenedThe morning began quietly at Ashford Law Firm.Sunlight streamed through the glass walls of the law firm's conference room, illuminating the neatly arranged case files on the table. Clara Ashford was reviewing a contract when Axel Winchester appeared at the doorway, holding a tablet in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.“Are you busy?” he asked.Clara didn't look up.“I'm a lawyer, Axel. What do you think?”“I'm going to interpret that as a yes.”“That's a wise decision.”He smiled, walked over to her desk, and placed a cup of coffee beside her documents.“Your favorite. No sugar, extra milk.”Clara finally looked up, her expression softening.“Thank you.”“You're welcome, sweetheart.”He leaned down to kiss her forehead before straightening.“By the way, we have a new client coming in this morning. Her name is Beatrice Morgan, but she prefers Bea. She contacted the firm about a dispute involving a canceled wedding.”Clara raised an eyebrow.“A canceled wedding?”“Apparently,
Last Updated: 2026-10-23
Chapter: Chapter 90 - A Home Between UsMorning sunlight streamed through the curtains of Clara Ashford’s bedroom, painting soft golden patterns across the floor.For the first time in years, Axel Winchester woke up in a house that wasn’t his own.Well, technically, it wasn’t his house yet.It was Clara’s.And until their future home was renovated, furnished, and ready for them to move in after the wedding, Axel had temporarily relocated to her place. His belongings had arrived the previous evening in several suitcases, two boxes of books, and one particularly heavy bag of legal documents that Clara had immediately threatened to throw out of the window if he brought it into their bedroom.He had laughed.She had not been joking.Now, Axel stood in the kitchen wearing a white T-shirt and dark lounge pants, making coffee while Clara sat at the dining table with her laptop open. Her hair was tied in a loose bun, and she wore a cream-colored cardigan over her pajamas.On the screen were several online furniture catalogs.Clara
Last Updated: 2026-10-23
Chapter: Chapter 89 – The Memories We KeepThe invitation came on a quiet Sunday morning.Clara Ashford was sitting at the kitchen counter, reviewing the latest wedding arrangements, when her phone rang.Axel's mother.She answered immediately.“Good morning, Mrs. Winchester.”“Good morning, sweetheart. Please, call me Margaret.”Clara smiled. Although she had met Margaret before, she still felt a little nervous whenever they spoke. There was something about the older woman's warmth that made Clara want to be liked by her, not merely accepted as the woman her son intended to marry.“Of course, Margaret. Is everything all right?”“Everything is fine, dear. I was wondering whether you'd like to spend the day with me.”“Today?”“If you're available. I thought we could visit Richard.”Clara's smile softened.Richard Winchester.Axel's father.She had heard stories about him, but she had never met him. He had died while Axel was still in college, long before Clara entered his life.“I'd love to,” she replied gently.“Wonderful. I'l
Last Updated: 2026-10-23
Chapter: Chapter 88 – A Home of Their OwnThe first house they visited had a beautiful garden. The second had a magnificent staircase. The third had a kitchen Clara immediately fell in love with. Unfortunately, none of them was quite right. “I'm beginning to think we're looking for a palace,” Axel Winchester remarked as he drove away from their latest viewing. Clara turned toward him, clutching the property brochure in her lap. “We are looking for a house.” “With a garden.” “Yes.” “A library.” “Yes.” “Four bedrooms, potentially five.” “Two children, potentially three. I still haven't agreed to four.” “A spacious kitchen, a guest room, a home office for each of us, and parking for at least two cars.” Clara looked at him. “When you list everything like that, it sounds expensive.” “Because it is expensive.” “And you're smiling?” “Because we're buying it together.” The simple answer made her quiet. For months, they had talked about their future as something distant and beautiful. A vintage wedding, a family, a
Last Updated: 2026-10-23
Chapter: Chapter 87 – A Wedding Between BriefsFor the first time in months, Clara Ashford had a new priority.Her wedding.Not a billion-dollar corporation facing public disgrace. Not a complicated legal dispute that threatened to expose the darkest corners of human ambition. Not a courtroom where every word could determine someone's future.A wedding.Their wedding.Unfortunately, planning a wedding turned out to be considerably more complicated than Clara had anticipated.“Axel, why are there three different quotations for the same flower arrangement?”Axel Winchester looked up from his laptop.“Because apparently, flowers have their own legal system.”Clara stared at him.“I'm serious.”“So am I. One florist charges by the stem, another by the arrangement, and the third has a premium vintage package that costs more than my first car.”“Your first car was practically a museum exhibit.”“It was a reliable vehicle.”“It broke down twice on our first date.”“Which gave us more time together. You're welcome.”Clara threw a cushion
Last Updated: 2026-10-23
The Stranger Hidden in My Sketchbook
Nine years ago, Lyra Aveline met a stranger on a rainy night and never saw him again.
At the time, her small fashion business was on the verge of collapse. The mysterious man stayed for less than an hour, yet shortly after his visit, her life changed. Investors appeared, opportunities followed, and her dream survived. When she tried to find him, he had already vanished.
No name.
No contact.
Only a face she could never forget.
For years, Lyra secretly filled her sketchbooks with drawings of the stranger, hoping to uncover his identity.
Now a successful fashion entrepreneur, she still searches for the man who changed her life.
What Lyra doesn't know is that someone has been watching her from afar.
Arsen Vale, the billionaire owner of the country's largest modeling agency, has loved her for sixteen years. Since the day she defended him in junior high school, she became the center of an obsession he has never revealed.
When fate brings them together again, Lyra finds herself drawn to the cold and enigmatic CEO. But as hidden clues, forgotten memories, and long-buried secrets begin to surface, she discovers that the stranger she has spent nine years searching for may be closer than she ever imagined.
Some people fall in love.
Others become obsessed.
And every obsession leaves a trail waiting to be found.
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Chapter: End - Our Beautiful ObsessionThe rain fell softly outside the villa. The sound echoed gently against the windows as evening settled across the hills of Bellevaux. For the first time in many years, Arsen and Lyra stood together before the hidden door inside the villa. A door that nobody except the two of them had ever entered. Not David. Not Clara. Not Amelia. Not even Mrs. Vale. Only Arsen and Lyra. Today would be different. Because standing beside them were their children. Orion Vale. Already an adult. A global entertainer admired by millions. And Estella Vale. A high school student who had inherited Lyra's creativity and Arsen's stubbornness. Both looked confused. Very confused. "Why are we here?" Estella asked. Arsen exchanged a glance with Lyra. Then he smiled. A rare smile. "We want to show you something." Orion immediately became suspicious. "Whenever Father says that, something strange happens." Lyra laughed. "Your father and I agree." "That's even more concerning," Orion replied
Last Updated: 2026-08-29
Chapter: Chapter 95-Arsen's anxiety immediately increasedThe next morning Lyra found herself sitting inside one of the most expensive private hospitals in Bellevaux. Against her will. Entirely against her will. Mrs. Vale had appeared at breakfast wearing sunglasses, carrying a designer handbag, and speaking with the confidence of a military commander. "We're going to the hospital." Lyra blinked. "Why?" "Because you didn't finish dinner." "That's not a disease." "It is in this family." Five minutes later everyone somehow ended up in the car. Even Mr. Vale. Nobody knew why he was there. Not even Mr. Vale. "I was reading the newspaper," he complained. Mrs. Vale ignored him. "Your son needs emotional support." "I'm not the pregnant one." "Exactly." The argument continued for twenty minutes. By the time they arrived at the hospital, Lyra already had a headache. The hospital staff immediately recognized the Vale family. Half the nurses looked nervous. The other half looked excited. One young nurse wh
Last Updated: 2026-08-29
Chapter: Chapter 94- The Vale FamilyThe years passed gently for the Vale family.The storms of the past became stories.The fears became memories.The obsessions became laughter.And the lonely people they once were became something else entirely.A family.A loud, chaotic, loving family.At seventeen years old, Orion Vale had become everything his parents secretly hoped he would be.And somehow much more.He inherited Lyra's warm golden eyes, eyes that made people trust him immediately.From Arsen, he inherited his height, his sharp features, his calm confidence, and the intimidating aura that appeared whenever he became serious.Yet unlike both his parents, Orion enjoyed attention.Perhaps a little too much.By the time he entered high school, he had already become famous.First as a fashion model.Then as an actor.Then as a singer.Then somehow all three at once.His social media followers numbered in the tens of millions.Every photo became trending news.Every appearance created headlines.Every smile generated th
Last Updated: 2026-08-29
Chapter: Chapter 93 - Baby ValeThe argument about the baby's name began less than six hours after Baby was born. Lyra was still resting in bed, exhausted but happy, while the newborn slept peacefully in the transparent bassinet beside her. The atmosphere inside the villa had become warm and lively. Family members came and went, bringing flowers, gifts, and endless congratulations. Unfortunately, the arrival of the first Vale heir in a generation also brought something unexpected. Everyone suddenly had opinions. Especially about his name. "I think Alexander Vale sounds perfect," Mr. Vale declared confidently. Mrs. Vale immediately shook her head. "Too common." "Common? Alexander is timeless." "It sounds like every businessman in Bellevaux." David, who was standing nearby with a tablet, quietly cleared his throat. "I have prepared a list of potential names ranked by historical significance, pronunciation, international adaptability, and future corporate branding." The entire room stared at him. Amelia bu
Last Updated: 2026-08-29
Chapter: Chapter 92-A strange sensation.Nine months passed more quickly than anyone expected. The world believed Lyra Aveline had become increasingly private after marrying Arsen Vale. Rumors spread endlessly. Some magazines claimed she had retired. Others insisted she was secretly launching a global luxury brand. A few conspiracy theories suggested she was traveling abroad creating exclusive collections for royalty. The truth was much simpler. Lyra was home. At the villa. Safe. Protected. Loved. And very, very pregnant. At first she protested. Repeatedly. "Carl, I'm not made of glass." Arsen looked up from his tablet. "You almost tripped yesterday." "I stepped on a pillow." "Exactly." "Normal people step on pillows." "Pregnant women carrying my son do not." Lyra groaned. Mrs. Vale laughed. David quietly left the room before becoming involved. Over the months, Arsen became increasingly protective. Then protective became an understatement. Every appointment happened insid
Last Updated: 2026-08-29
Chapter: Chapter 91-bittersweet crossed his eyesThe wedding day arrived beneath a clear summer sky. For the first time in months, Lyra felt strangely calm. Not because she wasn't nervous. Not because thousands of eyes wouldn't be watching. But because every impossible dream she had ever carried was standing at the end of the aisle waiting for her. Arsen. Or perhaps Carl. The boy from the orphanage. The man she had secretly loved. The man who had secretly loved her. The father of her child. The man who would become her husband in a matter of minutes. The wedding venue had been transformed into something that looked as though it belonged in a fairy tale. White roses cascaded from crystal arches. Golden lights shimmered above the guests like stars. A full symphony orchestra performed a gentle arrangement that filled the grand hall with emotion. Every detail reflected elegance. Every detail reflected the Vale family. Every detail reflected Lyra. Her wedding gown was breathtaking. Layers of ivory
Last Updated: 2026-08-29
Chapter: Chapter 127 - The Border of ShadowsThe dawn sun rose slowly over the northern frontier, casting pale golden light across the endless grasslands beyond the kingdom's borders.Lucas rode beside Eryx in silence.The revelation from the previous night still lingered heavily in his thoughts.The arrow.The explosion.The ancient oak tree reduced to nothing but smoke and ash.Even now, Lucas struggled to understand what had happened.He had fired thousands of arrows throughout his life.Never once had an entire tree vanished.Yet Eryx seemed less surprised than concerned.Not fearful.Concerned.The difference mattered.Because Eryx knew exactly what kind of blood flowed through his son's veins.Ancient blood.Royal blood.The blood of Annesa's lineage.Power that had survived countless generations.Power that even Gareth had only partially understood.Lucas glanced toward his father.Eryx's expression remained calm, but Lucas recognized the thoughtful look in his eyes.The King was planning.Calculating.Considering possibi
Last Updated: 2026-09-05
Chapter: Chapter 126 - The Ancestor BloodDeep within the dense, twilight-cloaked woods, the air grew thick with the heavy scent of damp earth and aged oak. The camp lay a short distance behind them, its soft flickering firelight muffled by the towering pines. Here, under the endless indigo canopy, the silence was absolute—broken only by the quiet rustle of night leaves in the mountain breeze. Eryx stepped onto a mossy clearing, his silver hair catching the dim starlight. He stopped, his sharp silhouette standing rigid and imposing against the dark forest backdrop. Beside him, sixteen-year-old Lucas matched his father’s stance, his short silver hair neatly framing a face set with intense focus. "Observe, Lucas," Eryx commanded smoothly, his deep baritone barely above a whisper. The High Guardian raised his right hand, extending two fingers toward a withered, dead oak tree looming nearly fifty yards away. The tree was a massive husk of twisted wood, devoid of leaves, standing as a bleak monument amidst the living greenery.
Last Updated: 2026-09-02
Chapter: Chapter 125 - The crackle of burning cedarThe journey to the southern border was long, stretching across two to three days of continuous travel. As the convoy moved farther from the High Manor, Lucas, Eryx, and their contingent of vanguard soldiers traversed a series of quiet, sprawling villages tucked beneath the mountain shadows. For now, peace still reigned over these lower valleys. Here, the boundary between species blurred. Vampires lived alongside mortal humans in relative harmony, and scattered throughout the crowds were those of mixed lineage—the half-blood vampires. Lucas did not need to see their faint, diluted features to recognize them; his sharp, refined senses caught their distinct scents immediately. The scent of a half-blood was a unique blend—the metallic, copper undertone of immortal blood softened by the warm, fragile rhythm of a human pulse. As the royal procession passed through the cobblestone streets, townspeople bowed their heads in quiet reverence. Everyone recognized the High Guardian and his heir;
Last Updated: 2026-09-02
Chapter: Chapter 124 - The High Guardian's handThe weeks of preparation flew by in a blur of intense activity across the High Manor. Gareth and Eryx worked tirelessly alongside several noble allies, overseeing the logistics for the upcoming border campaign. Wagons were loaded with crates of reinforced armor and carefully sealed glass bottles of blood-wine provisions, while seasoned vanguard soldiers inspected siege tools and heavy iron gear under Eryx’s strict supervision.Amidst the military bustle, sixteen-year-old Althea proved that her long hours buried in the library were far more than passive study.Down in the subterranean courtyard, Lucas stood among the castle’s master archers, practicing with a heavy composite recurve bow. He was sharpening his marksmanship, learning how to handle specialized war arrows. Under Althea’s guidance, the arsenal was lethal—some arrows were tipped with volatile fire-runes that burst into roaring flames upon impact, while others were dipped in silent, paralyzing shadow-venom designed to incapac
Last Updated: 2026-09-02
Chapter: Chapter 123 - The heavy nightThe night began with the quiet, familiar rhythm that had governed the High Manor for centuries. In the warmly lit study, the crackle of the hearth fire danced along rows of ancient, leather-bound tomes. Annesa sat comfortably on the plush velvet chaise, a delicate crystal glass of sweetened blood resting on the side table beside her. Opposite her sat sixteen-year-old Althea, her rich, dark brown hair falling over her shoulders in soft waves as she turned the yellowed pages of a heavy arcana ledger. The striking red eyes of mother and daughter flickered in rhythm with their reading, shared silence speaking volumes of their quiet bond. Across the room, near the wide stone balcony, Lucas sat on a low wooden bench surrounded by his tradecraft. The soft, rhythmic scrape of an oily leather cloth against dark steel filled the air. With sharp, calculated precision, the sixteen-year-old prince wiped down the blade of his longsword, his long, waist-length silver hair sweeping over his shoulde
Last Updated: 2026-09-02
Chapter: Chapter 122 — Moonlight, Blades, and Sisterly SchemesThe cool night air drifted through the open stone arches of the High Manor's private courtyard, carrying the scent of blooming night-jasmine and crushed pine. The moon hung high in the indigo sky, casting a silver sheen over the polished cobblestones. In the center of the training ring stood sixteen-year-old Lucas, moving with a disciplined, effortless grace. His long, waist-length silver hair—the exact, striking shade and style of his father Eryx—swept over his dark leather sparring coat as he executed a precise counter-strike. His glowing crimson eyes were narrowed in quiet concentration, catching every shift in the air. Lucas lived for his blade, his family, and his duty to his house. While other sixteen-year-old noble vampires at the academy wrote love poems or pined over court galas, Lucas found peace only in steel and strategy. Which made his current audience all the more persistent. "Look at his balance, Lyra!" fourteen-year-old Liora cheered from her perch atop the car
Last Updated: 2026-08-29
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