Chapter 3

Even after taking double the usual dose of melatonin, I still tossed and turned until four in the morning.

Since that day three years ago, insomnia had become routine.

Even in my dreams, I saw those thugs chasing me again and again.

The next day, my head throbbed so badly it felt split open, but I still forced myself to go to the firm.

The moment I stepped through the door, my colleagues looked at me strangely.

I frowned, not understanding.

Lena Price came over, her face pale. She lowered her voice.

"Caroline, something happened.

"Early this morning, Sterling Group officially announced that you would be appearing as their defense counsel. They also said..."

"They said the victims were maliciously extorting them, and since Verity & Cross only takes righteous cases, your willingness to take theirs proves Sterling Group is innocent.

"Now people are calling you a soulless lawyer who only cares about money..."

She handed me her phone. The screen was filled with abuse.

Sterling Group's statement had not only pushed me to the opposite side of the victims, it had also put Verity & Cross's reputation on a pyre.

I opened my messages. Ninety-nine plus unread.

The voice messages from the plaintiff representatives were full of despair and rage.

"Ms. Eckhart, we trusted you, so we handed you the evidence. And it turns out you were a mole for the Sterling family?"

"For money, you don't even want your conscience anymore?"

My face went completely cold.

Julian Sterling was still the same as before.

He could destroy everything I had without blinking.

I lifted my head, my voice ringing through the entire Verity & Cross office.

"Lena, issue a statement immediately under the firm's name. I will be acting as counsel for the victim-plaintiffs and filing suit against Sterling Group.

"From this moment on, reject every call from Sterling. Block every communication channel.

"Also, book me a flight to Bayport. For the next few days, I'll be visiting every victim in person."

The moment the statement went out, public opinion exploded.

I rushed to Bayport overnight and threw myself into preparing the case.

Another night, when I was still working past midnight, my phone lit up in the dark.

"Caroline, come back from Bayport. Something happened at the firm."

When I reached Verity & Cross, the office was packed.

Julian Sterling, who had no reason to be here, stood off to the side looking perfectly composed.

A thick stack of documents lay on the conference table.

The firm's partners looked livid.

One of them spoke in a low voice.

"The original data for the Horizon Group case has been leaked."

My heart sank.

That was Verity & Cross's most important case this year. My team and I had worked on it for six months. It was set for trial in two weeks.

Once the core data leaked, not only would the case be lost, but the firm would face up to three hundred million in compensation claims.

Julian walked to my side, smug and smiling.

"Caroline, as long as you agree right now to take the Sterling case, I'll help you solve this problem.

"Otherwise, no matter how brilliant you are, Verity & Cross won't be able to protect you. Your legal career ends here."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"Be good. Stop fighting."

I ignored him and turned to the silent Lena.

Aside from me, she was the only person with access to that core data.

She panicked at once, her voice trembling as she began to cry.

"Caroline, don't blame me... my father needs money for surgery.

"And going against the Sterling family won't end well. I was doing this for your own good..."

The case had not originally been assigned to Lena.

I had seen her ability and wanted to cultivate her, so I made an exception and allowed her access to the original data.

I never expected betrayal to be what my sincerity bought me.

I laughed at myself.

Caroline Eckhart, you really did fall twice for the same kind of person.

Once with Celia Eckhart.

Once with Lena Price.

"Julian, do you think I stayed at Verity & Cross because I needed its protection?"

Under everyone's stunned gaze, I removed the badge from my chest and placed it gently on the table.

"No. I stayed because Verity & Cross reached out a hand when I was at my lowest. I will never let you drag this firm down because of me."

I looked around the room, my voice calm.

"Due to my personal mistake at work resulting in a data leak, I am submitting my resignation effective immediately and withdrawing from Verity & Cross.

"All compensation and liability will be borne by me alone."

Julian's face changed sharply.

"Caroline!"

I looked one last time at the Verity & Cross sign.

"These three years of growth were enough.

"Even without Verity & Cross, I am still Caroline Eckhart, a gold-standard attorney.

"Mr. Sterling, I'll see you in court."