Joaquin sat in the quiet waiting room, his hands resting on his lap, fingers twitching with impatience.He wanted this trial to be over. He wanted to prove his innocence and go to Serena. He could see how heartbroken she was because of all of this—because of the accusations.He knew he hadn’t done anything wrong, but that didn’t change the fact that he was trapped in a vulnerable situation, unable to do anything.His gaze shifted to Emilio Vargas.Joaquin didn’t know much about him, other than the fact that he was one of the most sought-after lawyers in the country. People paid millions just to have him represent them.So why was he here, fighting for someone like Joaquin?Before the recess ended, Emilio sat down beside him, his sharp gaze unreadable."Alright, Mr. Lopez. Before we go any further, I need you to tell me everything. No omissions. No half-truths. If you want me to get you out of this, I need to know exactly what happened that night with Mikyla."Joaquin nodded, exhali

James couldn’t shake off what Andrew had just reported to him.Emilio Vargas was helping Joaquin.But how?James had grown up knowing Emilio as their family’s personal lawyer. He knew most of his father’s secrets.He was the only loyal person that James could never take away from his father.James clenched his fists.Without wasting another second, he grabbed his phone and dialed Emilio’s number.The call barely rang before Emilio answered. “Yes, Mr. Villareal.”James narrowed his eyes. “Mr. Vargas. I hear you’re quite busy these days.”There was a brief pause on the other end before Emilio replied smoothly. “Well, I’m currently representing a client.”James scoffed. “I know exactly what you’re doing right now, Mr. Vargas.”His voice turned cold.He wasn’t playing anymore.Emilio remained silent for a moment, then chuckled. “And what is it that you want, Mr.

After speaking with Andrea, Serena couldn’t get her words out of her head. It wasn’t that she was afraid Andrea would actually try to take Joaquin back—it wasn’t about that. It was because, deep down, she knew Andrea was right.Joaquin would never do such a thing.In all the years she’d known him, she had never once seen him act in a way that contradicted the man she believed him to be. Even after all the times they’d been alone together in a private room, he had never disrespected her.“I should do something,” Serena whispered to herself.Without a second thought, she stood up, took off her white coat, grabbed her bag, and hurried out of her office.Minutes later, she was behind the wheel, driving straight to the hotel where Mikyla claimed Joaquin had tried to assault her.She needed to conduct her own investigation.Joaquin’s arrest for sexual harassment had left her in shock. While she wanted to believe his denials, the so-called evidence—especially the photos James had shown her—p

Serena stood still for a moment before the iron gate, her fingers curling tightly around the strap of her bag. Her heart beat louder with every second that passed. The corridor was cold, sterile, and echoing with silence. The faint buzz of the overhead lights only made the tension worse."Are you ready, Ma'am?" the guard beside her asked, motioning to the door ahead.She gave a tight nod, her throat too tight to speak. She followed him quietly, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor until they reached a small visiting room enclosed with thick glass and a phone on either side. She could already see him through the glass—Joaquin.He was sitting there, head bowed, hands clasped together as if he’d been praying. His hair was a little disheveled, eyes dim, and his shoulders had never looked so heavy. He looked up the moment she stepped in, and for a second, he didn’t move. His expression was unreadable. Pain. Hope. Disbelief. All swirling in his gaze.Serena sat down slow

After the trial, Mikyla rushed outside. She still couldn’t believe how everything had suddenly flipped against them.“Mikyla! Slow down!” Andrew called after her.Mikyla stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, clearly annoyed. They had taken the back exit of the courthouse, far from the eyes of the media, so there were barely any people around them.“What was that? I thought everything was under control?” she asked, frustration lacing her tone.Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Are you blaming me now? Weren’t you the one who planned this?”Mikyla’s mouth dropped open. “What? You were the one who wanted to go through with this, Andrew! I told you—I didn’t w