Chapter 21
“The war wasn’t over. It had merely changed battlefields”
1 hadn’t slept more than two hours since that text message at Le Blanc: Playing fake boyfriend games now, Sage? Some lies can get people hurt. Even stars aren’t bulletproof. -R
The signature wasn’t Robert anymore he was in custody.
It was Rachel My stepsister had stepped out of the shadows and taken control of her father’s vendetta, upgrading it from crude threats to calculated psychological warfare
NFL
The security camera footage, the texts signed with her father’s initial to maintain the terror he’d created, the sudden connection to Victoria Palmer–Rachel was nothing if not thorough
And far more dangerous than her father had ever been
Robert was a blunt instrument; Rachel was a precision weapon,
Now I sat in Morgan & Wrights conference room, my eyes burning from exhaustion as I watched Olivia Sterling’s manicured nails tap–tap–tap against the table with smug superiority.
The tremors from my anxiety had barely subsided, but I couldn’t let them see weakness. Not today.
Diana Wright swept in trailing senior partners, her face a storm.
á, do you realize how many clients we
“I assume everyone’s heard about yesterday’s ethics committee vote,” she announced, eyes locking onto me. “Ms. Winters, nearly lost because of your… entanglement with Mr. Drake?
Those photos were taken out of context,” I said. “We have evidence showing Palmer hired Robert to-
*Don’t lecture me on evidence,” Diana cut me off. “What matters is the Palmer family has withdrawn all litigation against Drake overnight. The Warriors also withdrawn their sanctions.”
Olivia leaned forward. “They don’t want Sage representing them anymore. They’ve requested a change.”
“Shut up, Sterling.” Diana snapped. “Actually, Jeffrey Palmer specifically requested that Ms. Winters continue handling all of Drake’s
legal matters. He wants you to handle Drake’s new contract negotiation.
My
stomach dropped. After everything, Palmer wanted me?
have
season starts, and they’re paying double our usual rates,” Diana continued. “This could change our
“They want to lock down a long–term contract before the season a firm’s standing in sports law. Whatever it takes, Winters.”
Her message was crystal clear: secure this deal or clear your desk.
1 slammed my office door hard enough to rattle glass.
“Jesus, you look like hell,” Marcus said, appearing with coffee. “That bad?”
I blinked in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“holde called me after your texts this morning,” he explained, setting the coffee down. “Said you were facing the ethics committee and might need moral support. I was in the neighborhood for a meeting anyway.”
a fucking trap,” I growled. “Palmer family suddenly forgives everything? Specifically requests me? It’s Rachel. She’s pulling strings behind the scenes”
Your psycho stepsister? Marcus frowned as Olivia barged in uninvited.
Well, look who it is! Morgan & Wright’s rising star! Her voice dripped venom. Sleeping with clients finally paying off?”
I shut to my feet. “Say that again, Sterling. I fucking dare you.”
“Don’t pretend everyone doesnt know about you and Drake. We’ve all beard about that five hundred dollar bet‘ from high school
Chapter 21
Her smile turned vicious. “How pathetic that after all these years, he’s still using you–first for a cheap thrill, now for legal protection.”
The room tilted as rage flooded my system.
It wasn’t just that she knew about the bet–that humiliating story had already spread thanks to Victoria and the media–it was how she weaponized it, twisting the knife with such calculated precision.
Marcus stepped between us, “Walk out now, Sterling, or I’m telling Diana how you’re sabotaging client relationships.
After she left, Isolde called with news that made my blood freeze.
“Rachel’s been secretly meeting with Victoria Palmer multiple times. And last night? She met with Jeffrey Palmer at Le Blanc.
