Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Stepping out of the elevator onto the bustling floor of my firm, a rush of

excitement and nerves surged through me. The exclusive interview was just a few hours away.

I'd done all I could to prepare. Penny had ultimately become Timothy and I’s coaches, constructing a hypothetical script for us

that we were tasked to memorize and practice. I’d been practicing since last night, not wanting anything to catch me off guard.

Penny and Aria told me what clothes would make me look soft and friendly in the eyes of the public, hopefully miles away from

the mistress persona constructed by the media.

I felt much better overall. With my eyebrows plucked and my face and hair done up, I felt like I was giving off a cleaner aura.

As I walked towards my desk, the low hum of conversations and the clacking of keyboards filled the air. Curious eyes followed

me all the way down the walkway. Brief whispers carried my name with them.

Amidst the sea of colleagues, I caught sight of Jasper, his scowl unmistakable even from a distance. I couldn't help but smirk

internally at his slid off the surface of his desk and tossed his pen to the

side. He had yet to shred the bitterness from our last trial and he made every workday a pain to get through.

He strolled over, kicking a balled—up piece of paper to the side as he walked. I. averted

my eyes and opened my laptop, determined to not let him ruin my mood.

“Ah, Evie, the star of the hour!” he sneered.

I sighed inwardly, bracing myself for whatever Jasper had cooked up this time. “What can I do for you, Jasper?”

He chuckled condescendingly. “Oh, nothing, really. Congratulations on the interview!”

“Thank you, Jasper,” I replied with a polite smile, my voice steady. There was no use in letting his negativity get under my skin,

not when hope was on the horizon.

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12:25 Fri, 22 Mar Ger

He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smirk. “Must be nice to have connections that pull strings for you.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Jasper’s jealousy was as transparent as ever. “As F told you before, I believe in earning my

accomplishments through hard work. Not my fault you can’t keep up.”

His smirk turned into a scowl. “Sure, sure. Some people just have a knack for that sort of thing.”

I took a deep breath, determined to keep my cool. “You're not going to put my efforts into question.”

He shrugged casually, his smirk never leaving his lips. “Well, let's be honest, Evie. You're the talk of the town right now, but how

long do you think that'll last? Eventually, you’ll be right back in the shadows where you belong.”

I clenched my jaw, feeling a surge of anger but also a determination to not let hist words affect me. I had worked hard for this

moment, and I wasn’t about to let Jasper’s bitterness diminish it. “Funny how you seem to be keeping track of my rise. and fall,

Jasper. But unlike you, I’ve actually become a household name.”

His smile tightened, and his eyes gleamed with something that resembled envy. “Enjoy your little victory dance, Evie. But just

remember, you can’t escape your past forever.”

I squared my shoulders. “You don’t know anything about me.”

He shrugged, his eyes dancing with mischief. “I know enough to know that I should’ve won that case.

I finally met his gaze, but before I could retort, he turned and walked away. I shook my head. I had grown tired of his attempts to

belittle me, to remind me of where I had come from, but I had come too far to let his words undermine my confidence

now.

Taking a deep breath, I refocused on the tasks at hand, the cases waiting for my attention.

The evening sun cast a warm, golden glow as I entered my apartment. The interview was just two hours away now, and every

fiber of my being was on high

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12:25 Fri, 22 Mar

alert.

I kicked off my shoes and headed straight for my bedroom to get ready. I pulled open my closet door and pulled out the dress

and shoes that Penny and I had decided on. It was a navy blue dress that clung to my hips and waist, which was tame enough

for the occasion.

With the dress on, I moved to the mirror, studying my reflection. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I had earned my

place in this moment. After all, this interview was my chance to let the public know how far I’ve come.

Next came the hair and makeup. I opted for a classic updo, wanting to exude an air of sophistication. As I applied makeup, I tried

to channel a sense of calm and composure, even though my insides were doing somersaults.

Finally, I gathered my notecards, each one filled with talking points and facts that I wanted to cover during the interview. I knew

that Carl Plunk was notorious for throwing curveball questions, and I wanted to be as prepared as possible.

With a last glance in the mirror, I picked up my bag and headed out the door.

The interview building was located in the heart of the town, a short drive from my apartment. As I navigated the streets, I couldn’t

help but replay my notecards in my mind, hoping that I would be able to eloquently convey my thoughts.

When I arrived at the building, a surge of nerves washed over me. I reminded myself to take deep breaths as I parked the car

and headed inside. The reception. area was bustling with assistants, producers, and fellow guests—all of whom seemed to be

equally caught up in the anticipation of the event.

I checked in with the receptionist, who directed me to the waiting area outside the interview room. I took a seat, my heart rate

increasing with each passing minute. My fingers drummed rhythmically against my notecards, a nervous habit I had developed

over the years.

As I sat there, trying to steady my nerves, I heard a voice beside me. “Evie, right?”

I turned to see a fellow guest offering a friendly smile. “Yes, that’s me. Evie.”

She extended her hand. “I’m Sarah, Carl’s production assistant. Nice to meet you.”

I chuckled, grateful for the friendly face. “Hi, Sara. Is Timothy still in there?”

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22 Mar

Sarah nodded. “They should be done any moment now.”

Taking deep breaths, I closed my eyes and focused on calming my racing thoughts.. I reminded myself that I had faced

challenges before and emerged stronger each

time.

The door to the interview room opened, and Timothy emerged, his expression a mixture of support and strain. He looked at me

and offered a faint smile. “Evie...”

I returned the smile, but there was a brief pause as his eyes traced over me. I looked down, wondering what had caught his

interest, but then I remembered the intense makeover that I had gotten.

“You look beautiful,” he muttered, then shook his head. “I mean, you always do, but that dress really suits you.”

I tucked in my chin, feeling the warmth reach my cheeks. “Oh, thank you.”

Sarah walked over to the studio door and waved me over. “Evie, you’re up next!”

Timothy rubbed the back of his neck and looked around. “Good luck in there,” he said finally, his voice carrying a hint of tension.

As I stepped into the interview room, the bright lights and the warm smile of Carl Plunk greeted me.

“Evie, it’s great to have you here,” Carl said, extending a hand toward me. “How have you been?” I shook his hand, my

movements jerky. “I’ve been doing well, thank you,” I replied, my voice coming out a bit shakier than I intended.

Carl motioned for me to take a seat across from him. “Good to hear. Let’s dive right in, shall we?” I sat in the chair opposite of

him and crossed my legs. I made sure to angle myself so that I could face both Carl and the camera.

“Of course, let’s get started,” I said.

Carl leaned back comfortably, his expression friendly. “So, Evie, you’ve had quite the journey in your career. Can you tell us a bit

about your background and what led you to become a lawyer?”

I felt a surge of confidence as I delved into my journey, recounting my passion for justice and my determination to make a

difference. Carl’s genuine interest put me at ease, and I found myself opening up more than I expected. As we talked about

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my accomplishments and experiences, I could feel the initial tension in the room. melting away.

As the conversation flowed, Carl guided me through various topics, seamlessly transitioning from my career to broader industry

trends. He was skilled at keeping the conversation engaging and insightful, and I appreciated his ability to on topic. Despite his

reputation as a tough interviewer, I felt like I was having a genuine conversation with a colleague.

Stay

Finally, as we touched on the subject of my clients and the challenges I faced, Carl leaned forward slightly.

na

“Evie, let's address the elephant in the room,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “There have been rumors circulating about your

relationship with Timothy. Can you shed some light on that?”

0

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