After the two of them left, Liz turned and walked toward the outpatient clinic.


    She had barely taken a few steps when she noticed Zac standing not far away.


    He stood there with a cold expression, staring at her without the slightest warmth in his eyes. She had no idea how long he had been watching her.


    Liz lowered her gaze and pretended not to see him, quickening her pace toward the clinic.


    Just as she passed by him, he reached out and grabbed her arm.


    “Liz, all you have to do is admit you were wrong. I’ll pretend none <b>of </b>this ever happened. We can move forward with the wedding. Once you marry me, you won’t have to work anymore, and you’ll never have to deal with things like this again.”


    As he spoke, his eyes drifted to the scratch marks on her face, and his expression darkened.


    Liz yanked her arm free and said coldly, “Save it.”


    A few scratches were nothingpared to the misery of marrying him, living with his cheating, and feeling disgusted for the rest of her life.


    Without another nce at him, she turned and walked away.


    Zac stood frozen, his eyes locked on her retreating figure, fury rising in his chest.


    He had already lowered himself and given her a chance toe back, yet she still didn’t know what was good for her.


    If that was how she wanted it, then Zac would make sure she understood exactly what it meant. Without him, she was nothing.


    He pulled out his phone and called Chase.


    “Starting today, I don’t want Liz to receive a single new case,” he said, his voice cold and firm.


    After ending the call, he shot onest icy nce in the direction she had gone, then turned and walked away.


    *


    After getting her face treated and picking up her prescription, Liz sent a quick message to check if Hunter had made it to the station.


    Instead of texting back, Hunter called her directly.


    “Liz, Ms. Wilson already picked up her daughter. I’m on my way back to the hospital now.”


    “Alright. Drive safe. There’s no rush.”


    The police station was close to the hospital, and within ten minutes, Hunter had returned.


    On the way back, he couldn’t hold it in any longer.


    “Liz, don’t you think you’re getting a little too involved in some of these cases? Take Ms. Wilson’s situation<b>, </b>for example. Her daughter was taken but she could have just called the police. Instead, she contacted you, and you actually went there yourself.


    “If every client expects that level of involvement, you’ll burn yourself out.”


    +15 <b>BONUS </b>


    Liz nced over at him and responded calinly. “Ms. Wilson is originally from out of <b>town</b>. In that moment, she probably panicked and didn’t know who else <b>to </b>call. Aswyers, it’s important that we work efficiently, but sometimes it also matters that we show a little humanity.‘


    “Alright,” Hunter said<b>, </b>letting the conversation drop. He didn’t argue, but he clearly didn’t agree.


    In his view, awyer’s role was to follow the rules and uphold thew. Compassion had no ce in this profession. It only brought unnecessary emotional weight.


    To him, thew was created to maintain order, not to deliver fairness.


    Liz noticed the skepticism in his eyes. She gave a faint smile but chose not to say anything else.


    Everywyer had their own approach to practicingw. She didn’t need him to think the way she did.


    In the end, what truly mattered was helping clients solve the problems they came to her with.


    Over the next few days, Hunter continued reading the case files Liz assigned him and also followed her to court to observe her in action.


    Liz had an intense schedule. Most days, she was out of the office handling cases, and sometimes she workedte into the night.


    By the end of the week, Hunter felt like his legs had been worn down from all the running around.


    On Friday evening, over dinner with Liz, he slumped in his chair,pletely spent.


    “I’m exhausted. I had no idea being awyer was this demanding.”