All Chapters of Legally Bound : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

The courthouse plaza buzzed with tension the moment Carlton parked. Reporters hovered near the steps, photographers adjusting lenses, all clearly waiting for something to break. Alex stepped out first, expression unreadable, suit immaculate, every inch of him switched into silent battle mode.Lily got out after him, clutching her file. Even though she wasn’t arguing the case, her nerves were twisted into knots on his behalf. She reached up instinctively and adjusted his tie, smooth, quick, grounding.“Just breathe,” she whispered.Alex’s eyes flickered down to her, softening for just a second. “I am.”They walked up the steps together, Daniel trailing slightly behind, already rambling in his head about possible courtroom outcomes. Inside, the tension doubled. Lawyers from other Chicago firms turned their heads, some in recognition, some in curiosity. No one expected Alex Cromwell to be handling an ethics suit in Chicago.Barton approached them at security check. He looked tired but co

The courtroom had gone dead silent by the time the judge said, “Counsel for the defense, you may proceed with your closing argument.”Alex rose with slow, deliberate confidence. He adjusted his suit jacket, smoothed the front once, and stepped forward. The shift in the room was immediate. Even the people who didn’t know him straightened in their seats. There was something about the way he carried himself, calm, sharp, and absolutely in control that made everyone sense the tone of the hearing had changed.He began, voice steady, crisp, cutting clean through the tension.“Your Honour, the plaintiff’s argument relies heavily on speculation not evidence. Today, we have shown that their timeline falters, their assertions collapse under scrutiny, and their allegations ignore key facts that cannot be dismissed.”The judge leaned back slightly.Encouraging.Engaged.Lily watched from behind him, heart pounding with quiet pride. It was like watching Alex transform; the man she loved became the

The moment they sat in the car and set off Wilson shouted out of the blue from the front seat“Oh oh there’s another star in this car!” pointing dramatically at Gillian like he was introducing a celebrity. “My girl, ladies and gentlemen, SHE. KILLED. IT!”“Her case? How did it go?” Lily asked Gillian only covered her face with both hands, laughing. Lily burst into giggles as Wilson launched into a theatrical reenactment before anyone could stop him.“Lily, listen, this girl walked in, calm, collected, looking like she owned the entire judiciary system,” Wilson began, waving his arms. The opposing counsel started with his usual unnecessary grammar and ego‘Your Honour, the defense has failed to”He switched to a gruff imitation of the judge:“‘Mr. Johnson, get to the point.’”Everyone cackled.“And then,” Wilson continued, “he brought up some irrelevant statute from the early 1800s or something”“It was 1979,” Gillian tried to interrupt.Wilson ignored her completely.“BUT my baby gir

Lily woke up slowly, the warm morning light slipping through the penthouse curtains and brushing across her skin. She blinked, stretching lazily then froze when she saw Alex beside her, propped on one elbow, watching her with a soft, unreadable smile.“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”Her heart melted instantly. “It’s today?”“It’s today,” he repeated, leaning forward to kiss her cheek, slow and warm. “Twenty-seven looks beautiful on you.”She hid her face in the pillow for a second, overwhelmed already.Alex chuckled and rolled out of bed. “Come on. Get dressed. I made breakfast.”“YOU made breakfast?”He smirked. “Okay, I supervised Wilson. But it counts.”They stepped out to the dining area, where a gorgeous birthday breakfast spread waited; pancakes with strawberries, eggs, sausage, artisan pastries, and Lily’s favorite: hot chocolate with cream.Gillian and Wilson jumped out from behind the island.“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”Lily laughed, startled and touched. They hugged her tight, nearly ch

The late afternoon sun hung low as the car eased into the airport drop-off lane, bathing the glass terminal in a muted amber glow. Lily watched travelers stream past the windows,families hugging, couples lingering, people moving with purpose while a tight knot sat quietly in her chest.Wilson adjusted his jacket and reached for his bag from the back seat. He’d been unusually quiet on the drive, his usual playful commentary replaced with something softer, reflective.“Well,” he said finally, forcing a smile, “this is me.”Gillian turned around immediately. “Already?” she asked, even though she knew the answer.“Unfortunately,” Wilson replied. “Duty calls. And if I don’t leave now, I’ll miss my flight and Alex will have to explain to my boss why I disappeared in Chicago.”Alex chuckled lightly, but there was affection in his eyes as he stepped out of the car with Wilson. Lily followed, the cool airport air brushing against her skin as the doors slid open.They stood there for a moment,