Chapter 5

The judge's expression hardened by the minute.

And every look he gave me got colder.

I knew I'd lost.

Honestly, I'd lost before this even started.

Toby had planned the whole thing from day one.

A perfect takedown.

The law was his weapon. Justice was his excuse.

During recess, I stood at the end of the hall smoking.

Toby walked over and stopped in front of me, the windows behind him.

"Claire, it's not too late to give up. Agree to our terms, and we'll drop the lawsuit right now.

"It's better for you. Better for everyone."

I looked at him. "And if I don't?"

He smiled.

"Then we win. And you lose everything.

"The building gets shut down. You get hit with massive fines. And that whole 'dream landlord' image? Gone.

"The media will call you a predatory landlord. Your reputation will be trashed."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"Everything you worked for will disappear. Is it really worth it?"

I crushed my cigarette against the trash can.

"See you in court."

Same words as before.

His face darkened.

"Suit yourself."

Then he walked away.

***

The verdict came down.

Just like I expected, I lost.

The court threw out every lease clause about the building's layout.

I had thirty days to tear down every partition and restore the original floor plan.

And because the gym and cafeteria had been operating without permits?

A $20,000 fine.

Both were shut down immediately, with official notices slapped on the doors.

The second the judge announced the ruling, the gallery exploded.

Cheers. Applause. Hugs.

The tenants celebrated their "victory."

Reporters swarmed Toby.

Cameras flashed nonstop.

He faced them like he'd just won the Super Bowl.

"Today isn't just a win for us. It's a win for the law. For justice!"

He looked straight into the cameras.

"This proves young people don't have to stay quiet when they're treated unfairly. We don't have to settle. We can stand up, know our rights, and fight back!"

Then a reporter shoved a mic in my face.

"Ms. Caldwell, what do you think of the ruling? Are you going to appeal?"

Another jumped in.

"You were once called the 'dream landlord.' Now that the court found you were operating illegally, what do you have to say?"

I said nothing.

Daniel got me through the crowd.

I reached the courthouse entrance and headed for the car.

"Claire."

Toby's voice stopped me.

I didn't turn around.

He walked up beside me.

The reporters instantly swarmed us again.

With every camera pointed our way, he gave me a faint smirk.

"Times have changed."

He didn't say it loudly, but everyone heard.

"You can't make money off legal loopholes and play the sympathy card anymore.

"Young people aren't that easy to fool."

I turned and looked him straight in the eye.

Behind those gold-rimmed glasses, he looked damn proud of himself.

I didn't say a word. Just held his gaze.

Then I got in the car.

As we pulled away, I caught him in the rearview mirror.

Reporters and cheering tenants surrounded him like he was some kind of hero.

I pulled out my phone and shut it off.

Then I closed my eyes.

One week.

That was all I needed.