Chapter 24

Thursday evening came and we were once again settled into the spacious conference room. Timothy had yet to arrive, so it was

just Linda and I trapped in each other’s company. I couldn’t help but notice how she arranged the files and documents on her

desk, subtly pushing my work to the sidelines.

She turned to me, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Evie, I’ve reviewed your initial work on Mr. Hayes‘ case,” she said, her voice oozing with condescension. “I have a few ideas on

how to proceed. You can assist me by taking notes during the meeting with Timothy this afternoon.”

Assist. The word stung like a slap to the face. I had spent weeks preparing for this case, diving into the legal intricacies, and now

Linda was reducing me to a mere note-taker. I clenched my fists, trying to swallow the anger that was bubbling up inside me.

“Actually, Linda, I'd like to discuss some of my ideas for the case during the meeting.” I responded, my voice steady.

Linda raised an eyebrow, her icy blue eyes studying me with a calculated look. “Evie, this is a high-stakes case, and I have

extensive experience in handling such matters. I'll be taking the lead during the meeting.”

I could feel my cheeks flushing with anger, but I had to choose my battles wisely. With gritted teeth, I agreed, “Okay, Linda. Have

it your way.”

There was a light knock on the door and Timothy poked his head in. “Good evening.”

I opened my mouth, ready to greet him, but Linda beat me to it. “Hello, Mr. Hayes!”

He shut the door and took the seat next to me, nodding at me in greeting. “Hope I didn’t take too long. Hockey practice ran late

today.”

“You're right on time,” I was able to slip in before Linda could. “I hope practice went well.”

He snorted, folding his arms over his chest. “What little practice I could get in, yeah.”

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“We should get started,” Linda interrupted, putting away any need for pleasantries. She shifted her chair over so that she was

within armlength of Timothy, then picked up her folder. “Mr. Hayes, I trust you were able to read my email all the way through last

night?”

I raised an eyebrow and turned to Timothy. “Email? What email?”

“Oh, Ms. Turner just provided be with her own analysis and suggestions,” Timothy explained, then turned to her. “I did look

through it all and I came up with a few questions...”

“Hold on.” I held up a hand, drawing their attention back to me. “Linda, I’ve already prepared a detailed analysis of the case, and

I think it’s crucial that we go over it during the meeting.”

Linda’s response was dismissive, as if she couldn't be bothered with my input. “Evie, I’ve already outlined the agenda for the

meeting. We'll discuss my strategy, and I'll handle the presentation.”

I refused to back down. “Linda, I’ve been working on this case from the beginning. My analysis could provide valuable insights

that could help us win this case.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned in closer, her voice dripping with

condescension. “Evie, this is my case now, and I'll decide what’s important. You'll have your chance to shine later.”

I pressed on regardless, ignoring her cold stare, “But I wanted to address the instances of discriminatory language used within

the team’s internal. communications. These messages make it abundantly clear that Mr. Hayes‘ reduced playtime is not based

on performance but rather on biased judgments.”

Linda turned to me, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Evie, I've got it covered,” she replied curtly. “I appreciate your input, but

we're following my strategy here.”

I was stunned by her response, even more so since she was undermining me in front of Timothy. I felt a surge of anger building

within me, but I had to maintain. my composure for Timothy’s sake.

“Actually,” Timothy chimed in, startling us both, “I’m interested in hearing what Evie has to say. I’m more familiar with her thought

process, after all.”

Linda’s irritation was evident, but she begrudgingly relented, though not without a

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Wed, 20

hint of condescension. “Very well, we can hear what Ms. Sinclair has to say.”

52%

The meeting continued, but the atmosphere remained tense. I presented my research, my heart pounding with a mix of anxiety

and determination. More than ever, the threat of screwing up seemed detrimental.

As I presented my findings, Timothy leaned forward, his eyes fixed on me with a focused intensity. He asked questions, probing

and inquisitive. It was a moment of validation, a glimmer of hope that my hard work might not be in vain. Linda watched with

barely concealed irritation.

After the meeting concluded, Linda wasted no time in cornering me as we exited the conference room. She wore a wide, almost

chilling smile however, though her voice had an edge to it.

“Thank you for your assistance,” she said through gritted teeth. “Though I would appreciate it if you didn’t challenge me in front of

our client.”

I lifted an eyebrow, observing the fragility in her supposedly content demeanor. “With all due respect, Ms. Turner, it shouldn’t

matter who is taking the lead, as long as we assist our client.”

Before she could muster up a response, Timothy came up behind us and stood. beside me. He shifted his gaze from Linda to me

and cracked a smile.

“Evie, you’ve been such a great help,” Timothy said to me, gratitude in his eyes. “And you too, Ms. Turner. I’m glad Evie has

someone to take the load off, as much as she works.”

“I'm sure she needs it,” said Linda, and she turned on her heel and walked away. “I will be contacting you later, Ms. Sinclair, so

stay alert.”

“Of course,” I said tiredly, and I turned to Timothy, who offered me a grin.

“I can tell you two are close,” he said jokingly, and I rolled my eyes.

“This arrangement was unexpected for both of us,” I explained, mustering a smile. Two lawyers on one case are bound to clash,

but on the plus side, she’s giving : plenty of experience as a paralegal.”

Timothy frowned at that/ “Like an assistant?”

I almost couldn't stomach the word myself, especially since that was what I'd been

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reduced to. After the first meeting, Linda had tasked me to analyze and research several legal documents. It had pointed me in a

clearer direction than before, but the workload was taxing.

“Only for now since I’m a lawyer in training,” I told him, hoping it would reassure him. “But I’m your lawyer no matter what.”

“Good,” he stated. “And don’t stress yourself out with it. As someone who’s strained himself trying to do it all, please use Linda’s

assistance.”

I smiled at him, noting the concern in his expression. I must've looked as exhausted as I was starting to feel, or he was genuinely

invested in my well-being. “I'll keep that in mind, thank you.”

Once we parted ways, I decided that I couldn’t let Linda’s behavior go unchecked. any longer. I needed to assert myself, claim

my rightful place. I headed straight for Mr. Erickson’s office.

I knocked on the door and entered, steeling myself for the confrontation. Mr. Erickson was seated behind his desk, engrossed in

paperwork, but he looked up as I cleared my throat.

“Mr. Erickson, I wanted to speak with you about Ms. Turner, I began.

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes betraying a trace of annoyance. “What's the matter, Evie? I trust that Linda is doing an excellent

job handling the case.”

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. “But it’s my case, Mr. Erickson. I’ve been working on it for months, and Linda

is undermining my contributions and taking credit for my hard work.”

He waved me off with a dismissive gesture. “Evie, you need to understand your role here. Timothy is an important client, and we

have to win this case. Linda has the experience and the connections necessary to ensure that happens. You, my dear, are just a

traveling companion of the client.”

My anger flared. “Mr. Erickson, with all due respect, I have a scholarship and a high GPA. I’ve worked hard to get to this point,

and I’ve earned my place in this firm. I’m more than just a ‘traveling companion.”

Mr. Erickson’s expression hardened, and he leaned forward, his tone stern. “Evie, you may have a scholarship and good grades,

but you lack the experience and the

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Chapter 24

reputation that Linda brings to the table. You're on thin ice here. I suggest you tread carefully.”

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My boss was not only dismissing my contributions but also threatening my position in the

firm. My dreams,

aspirations, and years of hard work were seemingly reduced to nothing more than a fleeting image. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

With that, I turned and walked out of his office, refusing to hear anymore.

When I arrived at our apartment, Aria was already there preparing dinner. When she spotted me in the doorway, she gave me a

quick smile.

“Hey, how was work?” she asked, and her smile fell when she took in my expression. “What's wrong?”

“What's wrong...” I repeated absently, my voice shaking, “Is that I’m being pushed out of my own job.

“What?” Aria abandoned the spoon she'd been stirring with and rushed by my side. “Hey, take it easy. Just tell me what’s wrong.”

As I recounted the events of the day and my conflict with Linda, Aria held me close. “Evie, don’t let her get to you. You're strong,

intelligent, and incredibly talented. You've earned your place in that firm.”

“I don’t know if that will matter soon,” I told her, pulling away. “I have the qualifications, but if I’m not favored by the boss, it

means nothing.”

“It shouldn't,” Aria said, scrunching up her nose. “You know what? Only Timothy’s opinion of you matters, so if he likes you, Mr.

Erickson’s opinions hardly matter.”

Her words brought me back to when Timothy had asserted himself against Jasper, and even the boss on our hiking trip. He liked

me enough to keep me on his case. even then, so perhaps he was willing to keep me on now. If I stayed in his favor, neither

Linda or Mr. Erickson could tear me away from this case.

“You're right,” I told Aria, and I found myself able to smile. “You’re absolutely right.”