Xo Novel
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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My week began with a dose of determination as I waltzed into the office, clutching a hot cup of coffee in one hand and my ever–present briefcase in the other. It wasn’t the Monday blues that got me down; it was the realization that this week marked the start of an all–out legal brawl, and I was stepping into the ring against none other than Linda, the office’s queen bee.
Throughout the week, our competition escalated from minor provocations to a full–fledged battle of legal wits. Every move I made, Linda countered with one of her own. I’d research relevant case law, and she’d present a motion to Timothy, gauging his interest. I’d outline potential strategies, and she’d summon a surprising point.
It was like a never–ending chess match, with each of us trying to outsmart the other at every turn. The dialogue between us, once polite and professional, turned into angry spats that left the air charged with tension. She’d fire shots at me with biting words and icy glares, and I would retaliate with my own arsenal of verbal ammunition.
“Evie, you think you can just stroll in here and take this case from me?” Linda sneered one afternoon as I leafed through a pile of legal documents.
“I don’t think, Linda, I know I can,’ I shot back, refusing to let her rile me up. “I’ve been studying law for years, and my knowledge of this case is second to none.”
Linda slammed her hand on her desk. “Second to none? That’s a bit arrogant, don’t you think?”
“I call it confidence, Linda,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “You might want to give it a try sometime.”
Our verbal tussles echoed through the office, drawing curious glances from our coworkers. I couldn’t help but feel the collective exasperation in the room. It was clear that no one was enjoying the drama, except perhaps Linda herself.
As the days wore on, it became evident that my deep knowledge of the case and my unwavering commitment to Timothy’s cause were paying off. I dug up obscure precedents and found legal angles that even Linda hadn’t considered. It was as if I were peeling away layers of uncertainty to reveal the truth beneath.
During a particularly heated argument in the conference room, I presented my
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arguments with an unshakable confidence. Linda, however, had clearly grown frustrated with my unrelenting resolve. “You may know the law, Evie, but you don’t understand the heart of this case. I’ve connected with Timothy on a personal level.”
Timothy looked genuinely stunned by this, but he was forced to sit back in silence as the brawl rolled on between. I took a deep breath, fighting back the urge to lash out at her presumption of whatever close relationship they had forged.
“It’s not about personal connections, Linda,” I told her. “It’s about the law and the facts. I’ve been researching this case day and night, and I can assure you that I understand it better than anyone.”
Mr. Erickson watched our showdown from the corner of the room, his brows furrowed and a deep sigh escaping his lips. I guess he had hoped this competition would bring out the best in both of us, but it was clear that it was pushing the office to its limits.
“All right!”
His booming voice broke our concentration and we both looked anxiously in his direction. He motioned for us to follow him, and Linda and I exchanged glances before following him out of the conference room.
He gathered the staff in the common area and cleared his throat. “I want to commend both Evie and Linda for their dedication to Timothy’s case. You both put in a tremendous amount of effort this week.”
He paused, and a murmur of agreement swept through the crowd. But he continued, “However, I must make a difficult decision. It’s clear that Evie’s deep. knowledge of the case and her exceptional legal skills have prevailed. Timothy’s case will be officially transferred to Evie.”
The room fell into a stunned silence. It was clear that no one had expected Mr. Erickson to make such a declaration in front of the entire office. The news sent a ripple of surprise and amusement through the crowd, and I could see a few smirks and stifled chuckles.
Linda, on the other hand, stood frozen, her face a mask of humiliation. Her dream of winning Timothy’s case had crumbled before her eyes. She shot a withering glance in my direction, but I held my head high, refusing to gloat in her defeat.
Timothy, who had quietly observed the entire spectacle, approached me with a
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warm smile. “That was amazing! Guess it all paid off, huh?”
I blushed at his words, unaccustomed to such praise. “Thank you, Timothy. But I’m hoping this helped you more than anything.”
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His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he smiled wider. “Would you mind if I walked you home?”
I blinked in surprise. “Oh. You don’t have to.”
“Come on, humor me. You spent a good chunk of the week fighting for my honor,” he said with a chuckle. “And I had something to talk to you about.”
That set me on edge. His tone wasn’t serious, but the prospect of waiting for a surprise didn’t carry the same appeal these days.
“Yeah, sure,” I said with a rapid nod. “Just give me a moment to get my things.”
“Of course. I’ll wait for you in the hall.”
As he left the room, I noticed that the office had quickly emptied. Linda was left alone at her desk, her face etched with anger and frustration. The entire office had witnessed her humiliation, and there was no hiding from it.
I decided to approach her, a small offering of empathy. “Linda, I know this must be tough for you,” I said, my tone soft and sincere. “There’s no doubt that you’re a good lawyer, and I’m sure any other client would be lucky to have you on their
case.
Linda shot me a venomous look, her voice laced with bitterness. “Don’t patronize me, Evie. This isn’t over.”
I knew she wouldn’t take her defeat lightly, but I also knew that, for now, I had won the battle fair and square. With a nod, I left her to her thoughts and made my way to the restroom to catch my breath.
Inside the restroom, I took a moment to collect myself. I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, still feeling the adrenaline rush of the day’s events. The praise from Timothy and my boss was overwhelming, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
As I splashed cold water on my face, I reminded myself that competition was part and parcel of the legal world. It pushed us to be better, to strive for excellence. I
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hoped that Linda would eventually come to understand this, even if it meant swallowing her pride.
I dried my hands and looked at my reflection once more. I suppose this was it. I was undeniably a lawyer.
I turned away from the mirror and made my way to the exit. The door swung open, revealing one of the female associates from our law firm, Sarah. She was a quiet, unassuming presence in the office, but she looked excitable as she came in.
“Congratulations on claiming the case, Evie,” Sarah said softly, her voice almost a whisper. Her eyes darted nervously around the room as if to ensure no one was eavesdropping.
I blinked in surprise, unable to hide my astonishment. “T
you, Sarah.”
Sarah bit her lip, her anxiety palpable. “I… I overheard Linda talking to Mr. Erickson earlier in his office. She was furious, and I couldn’t help but listen. I heard. everything.”
“What did you hear?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Sarah hesitated for a moment, as if deciding whether to share the secret that had clearly disturbed her. “Linda… she’s… involved with Mr. Erickson, intimately.”
My heart skipped a beat as I absorbed the revelation. My shock soon gave way to a sense of discomfort, a feeling that I had unwittingly become a pawn. in game beyond my understanding.
“What do you mean, ‘intimately?” I asked.
Sarah lowered her voice to a near–whisper, “Linda is not just his mistress, Evie. She… she helps him win clients. She uses her charm to bribe them into sticking with our firm. I’ve seen it happen.”
My mind raced as I considered the implications of Sarah’s words. From the way Linda would casually graze Timothy’s arm with her own to the not–so–subtle looks she’d given him. Even how she’d become less intrigued with his case until her control with it was compromised by me.
“Are you sure about this, Sarah?” I asked, feeling the weight of the secret. “This is a serious accusation.”
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Sarah nodded, her eyes filled with regret. “I wish it weren’t true, but I’ve seen her do it more than once, and the other ladies too. Mr. Erickson values Linda more. than anything, but I guess you’re the next best lawyer now.”
As I contemplated the implications of this revelation, I felt a mixture of anger, disbelief, and pity for Linda. What kind of game was she playing, and what did it mean for the moral fabric of our firm?
uncomfortable amount or
Without another word, I left the restroom. That was an information to take in. I wasn’t sure what Sarah’s motivation was for telling me, if that made things better.
as
As I exited the restroom, I found myself face to face with Timothy, who had been waiting in the hallway. The corners of his lips curled up into a smile, and I could tell that he was still riding the high of my victory, at least more than I was at the
moment.
“Ready?”
I felt an unexpected rush of warmth and turned toward the door. “Yeah, let’s go.”
We stepped out into the cool air and I sighed with relief, freed from the stuffy atmosphere of the firm. As we walked down the quiet street, Timothy looked over at me and hummed.
“By the way, I have something for you. A little token of appreciation.”
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