Chapter 2

Evelyn passed on some big cases just to look after the injured Marvin.

The scratch healed up in no time at all. With a backlog of ongoing cases, Evelyn had no choice but to return to the firm to handle work.

Marvin strolled into her office like he owned the place, ready to show off to everyone. However, what really shocked everyone was when Evelyn started introducing Marvin to them.

There was a sour taste in my mouth as I remembered how Evelyn used to make me sneak in through the back door whenever I brought her fresh clothes during late work nights.

She said it was to keep her personal life separate from work, but I knew she was just ashamed of me.

In her office, Marvin leaned over to look through Evelyn’s case files. If I had done that, Evelyn would have given me an earful.

"Find this case interesting? You specialize in finance—help me take a look at it," she said.

I just stood there, wide-eyed, as Evelyn let this guy, who had nothing to do with her work, see confidential files. It was like her rules did not apply when Marvin was around.

Marvin leaned in close, and the air seemed to sizzle as they got closer.

However, then there was a knock on the door, and her assistant rushed over to whisper to her.

Evelyn slammed down her mouse, her face falling in an instant. "Colton's mom is causing a scene here? It seems I've been too kind!"

She stood up, threw on her coat, and marched out with the fierce energy of a fighter.

Before I even got to the front door of the firm, I could hear Mom's cries and shouts.

"The lawyers at this firm are helping a murderer get rich and hurt others. That's just wrong! Evelyn, I want my son back!"

My dad died when I was little, so it was just Mom and me.

Even after I married Evelyn, she did not really like me and was even meaner to my family.

In order to minimize arguments at home, I cut off contact with Mom and only sent her money every month.

I had not seen Mom in a long time. Her hair was almost all gray, and her face had lots of wrinkles. It was all my fault. I was too scared to stand up for her back then, and that was why she was in this mess now.

Evelyn looked down at Mom from the top of the steps. "The court said Marvin is innocent! If you keep making trouble, I'll call the cops, and I won't feel bad about it! Did Colton tell you to do this?"

A crowd had gathered. Evelyn used to care a lot about what people thought, but she had the court's decision now and was not backing down.

"My son was framed. Colton was good to you, but you cheated on him with Marvin!"

If it were just about the case, people would have left. However, that juicy story made them stay.

Evelyn looked embarrassed as people started to laugh. "Stop lying about me! Your son did something wrong, and he's too scared to face me. He owes Marvin an apology!"

Marvin, who was standing behind Evelyn, said, "Let's just drop it. My name was cleared in court, so let's not be hard on Mrs. Hughes."

Marvin should have kept quiet, but after he spoke, Evelyn stood up even taller. "This is all Colton's fault. I won't let you be treated badly again."