Chapter 37
The sun had just begun to seep through the curtains when I felt a sudden jolt that rattled me from
my dreams. Groaning, I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed. My head was still foggy with sleep when
I heard a voice, frantic and insistent,ing from the living room.
“Evie! Get up, quick! You won’t believe this!” Aria’s voice poured into my room.
My heart raced, my sleep–fogged mind struggling to make sense of her words. I stumbled out of
bed, not even bothering to throw on a robe, and followed the sound of Aria’s voice down the narrow
hallway into the living room.
What I saw on the television screen made me stop dead in my tracks.
The news anchors were talking fervently, their faces stered with shock and excitement. I blinked,
still notprehending, until I saw both Timothy and I’s faces sh along the screen.
“Who could have imagined that a nameless neer like Evie could beat Timothy’s club owner,
Mr. Fitzgerald, the most powerful man in the city?” the news anchor eximed. “It seems this may
be the beautiful woman he had been trying to apologize to.”
I gaped at the screen, trying to process the words. Aria had been right; I couldn’t believe it. There,
on national television, was the story of the past few weeks, presented like some dramatic movie
plot. My heart pounded wildly as I watched the footage of our victory in court.
Aria turned to me, her face flushed with exhration. “Evic, can you believe it? You’re famous!”
Famous. It was a word I’d never associated with myself, and it seemed utterly surreal. I didn’t have
the chance to say anything in response because my phone began ringing like a mad rm. I
grabbed it, and it was as though the world had discovered my number.
The notifications flooded in, with friends and acquaintances alike congratting me on my
unexpected fame.
“I need to get ready for work, I said absently, rushing out of the room.
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At work, the atmosphere was electric. My coworkers crowded around my desk, congratting me,
and sharing their admiration for my unexpected victory.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
“Evie, you’re a sensation!” Trina eximed. “We’re so proud of you!”
“You go girl! Knew you could do it!” shouted Le.
Then, Mr. Erickson’s voice boomed over the ruckus of the entire office, drawing everyone’s
attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?” he said.
The office fell silent. “I’m sure you’ve all heard about the incredible victory of one of our very own.
Evie here has shown remarkable strength, and I’ve decided to give her a promotion and a well–
deserved raise.”
A burst of apuse erupted in the office, and I felt myself blush, my cheeks ame with
embarrassment. I was grateful for the recognition, but the spotlight was something I had never
sought.
As I reached my desk, my inbox was already inundated with emails and messages, and my phone
seemed to be ringing non–stop. The title of Senior Associate had brought with it newfound prestige,
but it also seemed to demand more from me than I was prepared for.
irwell–a small
A short break was in order, I decided, and I headed for the refuge for moments of contemtion. I
found a quietnding a few floors below, where a small window allowed a gentle breeze to seep in.
It was the perfect spot to collect my thoughts.
“Evie,” a voice called, interrupting my thoughts. I looked up to see Linda descending the stairs. Her
face was devoid of its usual pretense, and her eyes bore a seriousness that was unfamiliar.
I frowned at her. “Linda?
Linda looked at me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Is this your version of a
celebration, or has he gotten to you already?”
I felt a sense of dread creep over me. “What do you mean, Linda?”
Linda’s expression darkened. “Once you’re in his good graces, there’s no escaping
55%
At work, the atmosphere was electric. My coworkers crowded around my desk, congratting me,
and sharing their admiration for my unexpected victory.
“Evie, you’re a sensation!” Trina eximed. “We’re so proud of you!”
“You go girl! Knew you could do it!” shouted Le.
Then, Mr. Erickson’s voice boomed over the ruckus of the entire office, drawing everyone’s
attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?” he said.
The office fell silent. “I’m sure you’ve all heard about the incredible victory of one of our very own.
Evie here has shown remarkable strength, and I’ve decided to give her a promotion and a well–
deserved raise.”
A burst of apuse erupted in the office, and I felt myself blush, my cheeks ame with
embarrassment. I was grateful for the recognition, but the spotlight was something I had never
sought.
As I reached my desk, my inbox was already inundated with emails and messages, and my phone
seemed to be ringing non–stop. The title of Senior Associate had brought with it newfound prestige,
but it also seemed to demand more from me than I was prepared for.
A short break was in order, I decided, and I headed for the stairwell–a small refuge for moments of
contemtion. I found a quietnding a few floors below, where a small window allowed a gentle
breeze to seep in. It was the perfect spot to collect my thoughts.
“Evie,” a voice called, interrupting my thoughts. I looked up to see Linda. descending the stairs. Her
face was devoid of its usual pretense, and her eyes a seriousness that was unfamiliar.
bore
I frowned at her. “Linda?
Linda looked at me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Is this version of a
celebration, or has he gotten to you already?”
your
I felt a sense of dread creep over me. “What do you mean, Linda?”
Linda’s expression darkened. “Once you’re in his good graces, there’s no escaping
11 10 Thu, 21 Mar CCA
his clutches. He’ll pull you in deeper and deeper, until you’re trapped.”
I tried to make sense of her words, but they felt like riddles. “Linda, please, you have to exin.
What are you talking about?”
She looked away, her voice low and resigned. “I was in your ce once, full of ambition, thinking I
could conquer the world. I became his favorite, just like you
are now.”
I was desperate for answers, but Linda turned away, her eyes distant. “You’ll have to take my ce
now, Evie, but be careful what you wish for. Sess herees at a cost. A cost you may not be
willing to pay.”
Linda left, disappearing up the stairwell before I could grasp the full meaning of her words. I was left
bewildered and unnerved, my mind racing with questions and apprehension. What did she mean by
“take my ce“? What was the cost she had alluded to?
As I returned to my desk, I couldn’t shake off the shadow of Linda’s words. The excitement over my
promotion had turned into a nagging feeling of unease. It could have been her ying with my mind
again, still bitter that she hadn’t been able to snatch the case from me.
Still, the promotion had been sudden, even if it was deserved. Mr. Erickson had to acknowledge my
sess either way, so Linda’s investment in that might have been her own paranoia.
Over the next few days, I tried to settle into my new role as Senior Associate. The weight of
increased responsibility and the expectations of my coworkers pressed. down on me, and I felt as
though I was under constant scrutiny.
Reporters followed me to and from work every day, and they had returned to their camp outside my
doorstep. My name was being whispered from every stranger on the street, that was if they didn’t
directly ask for a picture with me. Aria had shown. me all the fan sites popping up, branding me as a
“forgiving woman” for deciding to aid Timothy after his public apology.
It was in ate–night session at the office, long after everyone else had left, that I had my first one–
on–one meeting with Mr. Erickson since my promotion. He sat
“Evie, I’ve been impressed with your performance so far,” he began, his voice
behind his grand desk, regarding me with his uncharacteristic jollyne
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Thu, 21 Mar
measured and controlled. “Your victory against Fitzgerald showcased your determination and legal
acumen.”
“Thank you, Mr. Erickson,” I replied, striving to maintain myposure.
His eyes bore into mine, seemingly assessing my every thought. “I have high expectations for you,
Evie. You’ve proven yourself to be a valuable asset, but the journey ahead won’t be easy.”
I nodded, acknowledging the gravity of his words. My run–in with Linda shed in my mind, though I
tried to suppress her spections. This was my time to shine, and I wouldn’t let her ruin that.
The day stretched into the evening, and I returned home, mentally and physically exhausted. To my
surprise, the paparazzi had left their camp. Since their belongings had been left, I presumed they’d
gone out for dinner.
Or to go bother someone else for the time being.
“I wish they’d get a life,” I grumbled, searching for my keys as I walked up the steps. and to my
door.
Only, as I approached, did I see that the door was slightly ajar. When I walked in and flipped on the
light, I was aghast at the mess that awaited me.
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