Chapter 45: Predators and Protectors–2
+15 Points)
My blunt response seemed to infuriate her. She mmed her palm against the desk,
making the pens jump.
“How arrogant!” she snapped. “Do you know how much <i>your </i>impulsiveness cost us? A five–year legal advisory contract worth $150,000, and other disputes totaling at
least $500,000! Are you going to pay the $650,000 loss?”
I felt my lips curl into a cold smile. “Fine. I’ll fill that hole today. But don’t ever send me
to meet scumbags like them again.”
Heather’s eyes widened in disbelief before narrowing into a sneer. “Before <i>you </i>leave work, I want contracts signed and payment proof in hand. If not, don’t bothering
tomorrow. You’ve caused serious losses–we have every right to terminate <i>your </i>
position withoutpensation.”
I held her gaze without flinching. “Understood.”
As I left her office, I passed by Keh Westfield’s desk. His face split into a gloating
smirk when he saw me.
“Wow, Lawyer Winters,” he called loudly enough for others to hear, “after offending clients <i>and </i>losing big business, you still have the face toe to work? If I were you,
I’d be too ashamed.”
I shot him a frosty nce but kept walking. His petty satisfaction wasn’t worth my
attention.
Back at my desk, my phone buzzed with a message from Jade Mitchell, the young intern I’d helped during that expensive dinner outing.
“Lawyer Winters, did <i>you </i>see the social media posts from Valerie Pierce and Keh Westfield? They’re attacking you.”
My stomach tightened as I opened the screenshots she’d attached.
Valerie’s post was thinly veiled but unmistakable: “Some women are shameless- young, healthy, but don’t work hard, just rely on rich protectors. Such people disgrace
the profession.”
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<Chapter 45: Predators and….
+15 Points>
Keh’s attack was more direct: “If you already have a rich man with a Bentley, just
stay home and y pampered princess. Don’te here pretending <i>to </i>work and ruin
deals, dragging me down too. Hypocritical bitch.”
Jade sent another message: “They’ve blocked you from viewing their posts. They’re
the ones who spread rumors you’re kept by a wealthy man. They even created a
gossip group chat just to nder you.”
More screenshots followed–over thirty of them–showing a group chat dedicated
entirely to tearing apart my reputation. The messages were vicious, specting about my rtionship with Connor, mocking my work ethic, and painting me as
nothing more than a gold–digger.
“Wonder how many men she had to sleep with to get that Bentley?”
“Pretends to be so professional but really just a high–ss escort.”
“No wonder she doesn’t care about losing clients–she’s not here for the sry
anyway.”
Each message felt like a physical blow. I had tried so hard to be kind to these people- treating them to dinner, helping the interns, working diligently on every case. And this
was how they repaid me.
The realization was bitter: my kindness had been interpreted as weakness, mypetence as a threat. This toxic workce cared nothing for sincerity or skill–only status and connections mattered.
I bit my lip hard, suppressing the surge of anger and hurt that threatened to overwhelm me. My naivety in believing kindness could win trust now seemed
With steady fingers, I typed a reply to Jade: “Thank you for telling me. Next time they gossip about me, help me record it.”
Her response came immediately: “Of course, Lawyer Winters. You saved me from that expensive dinner bill. Whatever you need.”
I took a deep breath, straightening my shoulders as I made a decision. With newfound resolve, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I rarely used.
“Hello, Dad,” I said when Richard Winters answered, my voice calm and clear. “Is there
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Chapter 46: Bloodlines an…
Chapter 46: Bloodlines and Consequences–<b>1 </b>
Chapter 46: Bloodlines and Consequences
(Olivia’s POV)
*15 Prints>
I hung up the phone with a sense of grim satisfaction. The conversation with my
father had been brief but productive. Without wasting another moment, I gathered
my things and headed straight to the printing room.
The contracts needed to be perfect. I printed several copies, checking each one
meticulously before sliding them into my leather portfolio. My colleagues watched
with curious eyes as I strode through the office, head held high.
Let them stare. Let them whisper. Soon, they would understand exactly who they had
been tormenting.
The drive to the Winters Group headquarters took less than twenty minutes. The imposing ss building gleamed in the afternoon sun, a testament to my family’s legacy in Riverdale. I parked my car and walked through the familiar lobby, nodding at security guards who recognized me immediately.
“Miss Winters! It’s been a while,” one called out respectfully.
I smiled politely but didn’t slow my pace. The elevator whisked me to the top floor where my father’s office upied the corner suite with the best views of the city.
His assistant looked up in surprise. “Miss Winters! Your father just finished his meeting. He mentioned <i>you </i>wereing.”
“Thank you<i>, </i>Melissa,” I replied, heading straight for the double doors.
My father, Richard Winters, <i>stood </i>by the window. At fifty–five, he still cut an impressive figure–tall and distinguished withpletely white hair that had once been the same honey–brown as mine. The premature white was a physical manifestation of his grief after my mother’s death.
He turned as I entered, his amber eyes–so like my own–lighting up with genuine
pleasure.
“Olivia,” he said warmly.
(Olivia’s POV)
*15 Points>
I wasted no time on pleasantries, tossing the contracts onto his polished desk. “Dad, take a look at the contracts. If there’s no problem, sign them.”
He raised an eyebrow at my directness but sat down and began flipping through the pages with careful attention. “I asked my assistant: our current legal counsel contract ends at the end of this year. I can sign a new five–year contract with yourw firm, but the contract will only start from next year.”
I nodded calmly. “No problem. But once it’s signed this afternoon, the payment
should be made immediately.”
My father looked up, surprise evident in his expression. “In such a hurry?”
I shrugged lightly, keeping my tone casual despite the anger still simmering beneath the surface. “Yes. Last night, I went to negotiate a case and was harassed by two filthy men. The deal fell through, and my supervisor gave me a final warning.”
(Olivia’s POV)
The moment the words left my mouth, my father’s expression hardened. His jaw tightened, and a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes–the look of an Alpha wolf whose offspring had been threatened.
“Who dared to harass <i>you</i>?” he demanded, his voice dropping to a growl.
I waved a dismissive hand, deliberately downying the incident. “Don’t worry, they didn’t get a chance <i>to </i>take advantage of me–instead, I beat them up.”
Despite my nonchnt tone, his brows furrowed deeper with concern. “Olivia, why don’t <i>you </i>stop being awyer? Your firm just had that incident recently, and now this harassment. The risks are <i>too </i>high. What if someone retaliates? Juste back and work at thepany. I can make <i>you </i>the general manager.”
I shook my head firmly. “No./I still prefer being awyer for now. I holdpany shares; the dividends are enough for me. Besides, I don’t know a thing about running a business. If <i>you </i>made me the GM, wouldn’t I ruin yourpany?”
(Olivia’s POV)
My father couldn’t help but chuckle at my blunt assessment. “I can hire experts to
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Chapter 46 Bloodlines an….
help you.”
I persisted in my rejection, offering him a faint smile. “No need. Maybe when I get
tired of being awyer someday.”
He sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. “You really are…”
+15 Points>
The unfinished sentence hung between us. I knew what he meant I was stubborn
like my mother. Sarah Winters had been equally determined, equally unwilling <i>to </i>bend when she believed in something. It was both apliment and ament.
(Olivia’s POV)
Conceding to my insistence, my father picked up his pen and signed the five–year contract without further argument. He immediately called the finance department, instructing them to wire $150,000 to Moow Legal Services‘ ount.
I watched with satisfaction as hepleted the transaction. With a teasing smile, I asked, “Any newpany disputestely?”
He <i>looked </i>momentarily sheepish, admitting, “I don’t usually handle those details.” He pressed the inte button. “Send Gregory in, please.”
Soon, a middle–aged man in a crisp suit entered the office. For nearly an hour, Gregory briefed <i>me </i><i>on </i>various ongoing disputes and potential cases that the Winters Group was facing. I listened attentively, making notes and asking pointed questions.
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