Chapter 21 - Lawyers, Lovers, and Liars

Noah stood on the corner of Lockwood Street, his chest heaving, and lungs burning with the metallic tang of exhaust and despair.

He stared at the empty space at the curb where Julian’s black sedan had been parked only minutes ago. The taillights had long since vanished into the gray blur of the city, taking Elliott with them. 

Noah reached instinctively for his pocket, his fingers brushing against nothing but lint. He looked down at the device in his other hand, Sebastian’s phone. It felt like a lead weight. Useless.

***

The walk back to the dorms felt like a gauntlet. Every streetlamp was a spotlight, every passing engine the growl of a predator.

He didn't expect anyone to be waiting. But there she was, slumped against his door. Bena. She looked like she’d crawled out of her own personal war zone, clutching her backpack like a shield.

"Noah," she breathed, her voice cracking.

Noah held out Sebastian's phone. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t care about that liar and thief,” she snapped, her eyes flashing. She didn't touch it.  

Noah’s hands were too numb to argue. He fumbled with the lock, the door swinging open to a room that smelled of stale coffee and ruin. He didn't hit the lights. He sank onto the bed, the springs groaning under his weight, and buried his face in his hands.

"You know who was texting him, don’t you?" Bena whispered, joining him on the bed. 

Noah hesitated. The secret was a stone in his throat, sharp and heavy. 

"It’s me, Noah,” Bena pressed. “I can only help if I know the whole truth. Is that the benefactor?”

Noah let out a long, shuddering breath. He couldn’t carry it alone anymore.

He shook his head. 

“Then who?” Bena asked impatiently. 

“His ex,” Noah finally answered, "The person I was involved with was Elliott. Professor Vance."

The room was deathly still. The only sound in the room was the rain lashing against the glass. 

"The Professor?” Bena’s voice was a ghost of a sound. “Noah... that’s academic suicide. If the Board finds out—"

"Well, Julian is way ahead of them in ruining my life" Noah interrupted, his voice hollow. "He’s Elliott’s ex. He’s the mastermind behind all these. He wants Elliott back, and he’s willing to destroy me to get him."

Noah looked at her, his eyes wild in the dim light. "We were happy. Or at least, I thought. It went from a contract to... to something real. I thought he was my sanctuary. But one lie from the devil, and suddenly, he abandons me."

Bena stood up, her jaw tightening. "Enough whining, you have to fight back. Prof. Vance has more to lose. Go to the Disciplinary Committee and show them your chats… the agreement-"

"There are no chats!" Noah shouted, his frustration finally boiling over. "My phone was wiped! There’s nothing."

Noah walked over to his desk and flipped open his laptop. He needed to see the damage, to find some shred of hope.

But as the screen flickered to life, a sharp, metallic ping sliced through the silence of the room. An email notification sat at the top of his inbox. 

FROM: University Disciplinary Committee

RE: Gross Misconduct – Immediate Action Required

Noah’s breath seized. He clicked it, his pulse thundering in his ears.

Mr. Ola, 

Following the university’s investigation, while there is no clear evidence of sexual misconduct (prostitution), the university frowns on her students, especially one who should be an ambassador, being linked to such acts. 

Additionally, per the emergency directive of the Disciplinary Board, pending a formal police investigation into allegations of Grand Larceny that will clear your name, your student status is officially suspended. Access to campus facilities and university-linked accounts is revoked effectively immediately.

Noah gasped. "They’ve already decided I’m guilty and are trying to distance themselves."

Bena leaned over his shoulder, her eyes scanning the mail. "Noah, they will bury you before you can scream. Everyone is protecting their reputation. You have to do so too.” She gripped his shoulder. “You need to give up Prof. Vance. Anyone who hears, will easily believe you were coerced. He is a professor, he has power over you."

Noah shook his head. "I don't want to ruin him," Noah said, his voice firm. "He’s being manipulated. He’s a victim in this, too."

"He’s a grown man!" Bena snapped. “He should have at least given you the benefit of doubt and not take the words of a disgruntled ex.”

Noah remained hesitant. “I will go to the committee tomorrow and see if I can make them drop the suspension. There is no proof of theft-”

“You have to go with a lawyer. Someone who understands the politics played by these elites.”

Noah’s gaze stayed locked on the screen, his mind racing through a mental Rolodex of the elite. During his nights at Black Halo, he served men with more money than God and more secrets than the Devil; men who bought silence with six-figure wire transfers.

He stood abruptly, crossing to his bookshelf. He pulled down a dusty, spine-cracked textbook: The Philosophy of Morality and Desire. Tucked inside the back cover was a single, heavy, embossed business card.

MARCUS LEE. SENIOR PARTNER.

"Who is that?" Bena asked, squinting to read the gold foil.

"The only great lawyer I can get for free," Noah said, a ghost of a smirk appearing on his lips. "Marcus was a client of mine at Black Halo a year ago. He got into a mess; a career-ending mess that would have also ruined his family. I helped him out and he told me if I ever needed a favor, I should call."

"Then call him!"

Noah held out his hand. “Let me have your phone.” 

He dialed the number on the card. It rang twice before a deep, rasp voice answered, a voice that sounded like it lived on expensive cigars and winning closing arguments

"Lee."

"It’s Noah," he said. "From Black Halo. You said to call if I ever need legal representation.”

A heavy pause stretched over the line. Then, the sound of a lighter flicking. "I’ve heard the news and I have been expecting your call. I guess this mess is too big for the 'Legend’ to dance his way out of. What would you have me do for you?”

“I have been falsely accused and suspended without evidence," Noah said, his grip tightening on the receiver. "I need you to make them regret coming after me.”

"Consider the debt paid in full," Marcus replied. "I'll see you first thing in the morning."

Noah clicked the phone shut and looked at Bena. "I got a lawyer."

“Good,” Bena heaved a sigh.

***

Across the city in the secluded Shere cabin, the fire crackled in the hearth, but it couldn't touch the chill in Elliott's bones. He sat hollow-eyed in the armchair, a ghost of the man who had been in love only hours ago.

Julian leaned in, sitting on the coffee table and taking Elliott’s trembling hand into his.

"And told Disciplinary Committee you coerced him." Julian lied, his voice a velvet poison that seeped into the silence. 

The world tilted. The betrayal cut deeper than any blade. "Are you sure?"

"Positive," Julian whispered.

Elliott’s head snapped up, his eyes searching for his phone.

"How do you know all this? Why am I only hearing about it now?"

"I met with the committee as well."

Elliott froze, his gaze sharpening with a sudden, cold dread. "You did what?"

"I was representing a client who accused Noah of stealing from him during a private contract," Julian said, his tone infuriatingly professional.

"Who?"

"Come on, Elliott. You know the rules. I can’t reveal clients who demand discretion."

Elliott's fingers flew across his phone screen. No emails from the university. No messages from the Dean. But the silence felt like a trap. "I shouldn’t have come here," he breathed, the realization hitting him like a physical blow. "My hands are tied."

"I have a way to get you out of this," Julian purred, his grip on Elliott's hand tightening just enough to be felt. "But you won't like it."

"How?"

"You testify. You tell them Noah is dangerous. Tell them he’s obsessed with you."

Elliott’s eyes widened. "Julian, that’s—"

"Your identity will be sealed, Elliott. No one needs to know it was you. The committee will dismiss his claims in a heartbeat once they have two people coming with the same testament. I know you don't want to hurt him, but the boy is more dangerous than you realize. You need to sever the link. You need to protect your legacy."

Elliott looked back into the fire, his heart shattering into a thousand pieces. The warmth of the room felt like a death sentence.

"Fine," he whispered, his voice barely a ghost of a sound. "I’ll testify."