Df course, bZac /bremembered it.

ive this very eat.

Back in Harbor Cityb, /bCharlotte used to drive i

At the time, Wendy had mocked her for being win, saying she must have rented it just to pose for photos.

And he believed it.”

Looking back now, he realized just how ridiculous he had been.

Suddenly, a thought hit himb, /bband /bhis face went pale.

“That ring on your hand. Is that the same one you tried on at Chaumet Paris that day?” zac’s lips trembled. “Back then, we hadn’t even broken up. You were already trying on engagement brings/b?

You betrayed our rtionship!” he shouted, eyes tinged red. “How bcould /byou do this to me?”

Charlotte couldn’t take the nder anymore. She let out ba /bshort, coldugh.

“Rtionship?”

She paused, her tone sharper

“Didn’t byou /bbsay/b…you were always looking for traces of Wendy in meb?/bb” /b

Za stiffenedpletely, bhis /bface going pale

“You You low?”

Charlotte stared at him, her vier licy

“I didn’t just know about that. I know everything. The night you said there was an emergency at work? You were at the airport picking up Wendy,

“And on Quinn’s birthday, you left early with her and went straight bto /bba /bhotel. We hadn’t even broken up yetb, /bZac. You were already rotting.

“So tell me what right do you bhave /bto talk to me about betrayal?

Zac looked devastated. He shook his head, his voter breaking

“No_Curlotte, please, bit’s /bnot what you think just let me exin.”

Charlotte had no interest in his excuses. She pulled open the car door and got in

Assim started the engine, Zackan to the front of the car, pping the hood, mouthing more desperate pleas.

She scowled. He wasn’t moving.

Annoyedb, /bbshe /bstepped on the gas hard.

Thud-

He didn’t dodge in time. The impact sent him flying, Landing in a bosh on bthe /bside of the lot.

Charlotte’s face was set, her eyes cold. She bdidn’t /bspace him a nce, Without hesitation, she spun the wheel and drove ott

bZented /bbhis /bteeth and got up. Its leg was injured, and he limped badly

As the blue Bentley disappeared into the distance, his chest felt like it bwas /bcaving i

Anearby pedestrian who had witnessed the bscene /bwalked over, concerned.

“Hey man, are you alright? That woman just hit you and drove boff /bshouldn’t byou /bbcall /bthe bpolice/b?”

Zar shook his head

It’s notlding Just a fight with

hmy wife.”

The man raised an eyeboom, then gave him a lowing look

“Ah_rtionship drama Dude, your wille’s da violent. Were you at the courthouse filing for divorce?”

Zac bclucked/bb, /brubbing his sore leg

“Divorce? bNo /bway. We’re doing just fine, She’s just mad right now lealm her down.”

The pedestrian looked at bhim /blike he was insane but with a “bless your heart kind of expression.

12

At S&G Law Firm, the break room was buzzing with gossip.

“Did you hear? Miss Yamell from litigation just resigned.”

“Seriously? That was so bsudden/b. Why would she quit out of nowhere?”

“No idea word is she volunteered to step down.b” /b

Charlotte walked past the crowd, face expressionless, heading straight to her office. She wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

But barely minutes after sitting down, the office door bwas /bkicked open–hard.

“Charlotte Riley! What the hell is your problem? You’re saing me?!” bWilly /bstormed in, shouting

Charlotte didn’t even

even look at him. Her eyes stayed on herputer as she calmly continued her work

“You ndered meb. /bOf course I’m suing you. Why are you so surprised?”

Willy’s face twisted with rage.

“Stander? What nder?! bIt’s /bbonly /bbnder /bif it’s false. Everything I said was true!”

Tell it to the judge,b” /bCharlotte bsaid /bcoollyb. /b

“bYou’d /bbetter drop thewsill, or I’ll make you pay,” he growled.

Indefamation.caws,

the intiff had to file the bcase /bthemselves. It was a private prosecution.

bBut /bonce it was proven the defendant vited thew, bit /bwould be a criminal offense

And bfor /bawyer like Willy, a criminal record meant his license would be revoked and his legal career would be over.

He wouldn’t even be allowed to take the bar again.

25 Bonus