Chapter 4

I stared in disbelief at Clara and Ethan sitting across from us. Mom had been deliberately run over and killed, yet Dad and I were the ones having to compensate the driver for emotional distress.

When the hearing ended, Clara walked over to me. “I didn’t expect Ethan to take this case… It’s his very first case after becoming partner. He’s your friend, too. Can’t you be a little more understanding?”

Numb, I pushed her away and walked straight out.

Outside, a drizzle had begun to fall. Raindrops landed on my face, mixing with my tears as they slid down my cheeks.

Three hours before my train was scheduled to leave, I rushed to the law firm to pack up my things. Upon opening a package on my desk, I froze. It was a revocation notice from the State Bar Association.

“Upon investigation, Mr. Peter Hall is suspected of leaking confidential documents in violation of regulations, severely breaching professional ethics. His law license is hereby permanently revoked, and he is banned from practicing law for life.”

During the recent leak scandal that had created a massive uproar at the firm, Clara had been the person responsible for reporting the final liable attorney to the Bar Association.

Clutching the notice, I burst into Clara’s office. She and Ethan were sitting together in front of her computer, sharing a laugh, when I slammed the notice onto her desk.

“Clara, the leaked files were with Ethan the whole time! When did I ever leak the firm’s confidential documents?”

I thought she would at least offer an apology or an explanation, but instead, she shot back with a ridiculous question.

“Ethan is a partner. How could I have his license revoked? Besides, as part of the operations department, you don’t need a law license. How does this even affect you?”

“What good is your license anyway? Have you ever argued in court? Do you know how to present evidence? If a real case were handed to you, could you handle it?”

Clara patted my shoulder and looked at me as if I were a child throwing a tantrum. “Stop making a scene. The license you earned served a purpose by taking the fall for Ethan this time. You could say it was put to good use.”

I stood frozen in place, trembling uncontrollably with rage.

She wasn’t entirely wrong, though. From the day she shoved me into operations, I had made zero progress, drifting further and further away from my dream of becoming a practicing attorney.

I let out a soft laugh as a lump formed in my throat and my eyes watered. “So you used the license I spent three years studying for and my entire future just to cover up the mess Ethan made?”

Clara paused, seemingly taken aback that I would get so angry. “Alright, calm down. Once your mom’s case is wrapped up, I’ll have Ethan guide you through writing basic legal documents to pass the time.”

Ethan, who was flipping through files nearby, looked up and chimed in, “Peter, I’ll show you the ropes. Drafting documents is really simple.”

I couldn’t hold back any longer, so I slapped her across the face. For three seconds, the office fell dead silent.

Clara clutched her cheek, staring at me in complete disbelief. “You hit me?”

Trembling with rage, I glared at her through my red eyes. “Clara, you’re heartless!”

I turned on my heel and slammed the door shut with Clara’s furious shout echoing behind me.

“Peter Hall, you’re fired!”

Outside, I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the exit, wiping away a tear as the corners of my mouth curled into a smirk. Getting fired meant nothing to me.

I looked down at the thick stack of case materials and evidence in my hands.

Clara Jennings, the next time we meet, we’ll be opponents in court.