Chapter 5 Who's Behind This

Jillian had been searching for an outlet to vent her anger.

She shifted her weight onto one foot, then with a swift motion, she drove her heel into the chest of the red-haired man.

With a loud thud, he soared backward, landing heavily on the floor, taking three of his cohorts down with him.

A few moments later, Bryan stumbled upon a scene on his way to the restroom. A woman standing defiantly was surrounded by a group of men, her aura fierce and chilling.

With expertly delivered punches and kicks, she had them all crumpled on the floor, groaning in agony.

Her demeanor was icy and merciless as she struck with lethal precision.

Under normal circumstances, Jillian was the epitome of poise and composure, but her ferocity was truly formidable when provoked!

"Who's behind this?" Bryan demanded icily, pinning one thug's face to the floor with his foot.

"It was..." The thug's eyes flickered deceitfully as he stammered out his fabrication. "Clara Anderson from the Anderson Group. She claimed Ms. Chapman was responsible for her husband's incarceration and wanted us to send a message."

"Liam, call the police," Bryan commanded, delivering a final kick to the thug before stepping back.

He approached Jillian and inquired, "Are you alright?"

Jillian swiftly clutched her stomach, wincing as she feigned injury.

"Ouch... I took a hit to the stomach with a rod just now. It's really painful..."

Without a word, Bryan scooped her up and headed for the exit. Jillian was taken aback. Was he actually concerned about her?

Hadn't he just been mocking her earlier?

What the hell happened to him?

"Hey, are you two really just walking out like this? What about this mess?" Liam shouted after them, but the pair, seemingly indifferent, didn't look back.

Once they were settled in the car, Bryan asked, "Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Jillian wrapped her arms around his neck. She rested her head on his shoulder, barely concealing a smile as she continued her charade.

"No, it's not that serious. Do you have any first aid at home? Just a bit of ointment would help."

"Then I'll take you to your place," Bryan suggested, gently unwinding her arms to help her sit up properly.

"No, I'd rather go to your place," she murmured, edging closer to him playfully.

"Didn't you mention this was all just casual? My home isn't somewhere you can just drop in whenever you feel like it," Bryan retorted, pushing her gently away and pinching her cheek.

"I'm going to your place, and that's final." Jillian brushed his hand aside, her voice tinged with a playful yet determined note. She was set on challenging this man!

The next morning, in Bryan's office.

"Did the police get to the bottom of it? Was it really Clara Anderson from the Anderson Group who sent those thugs?" Bryan queried, his gaze fixed on his friend who had just come back from the station.

"It turns out it wasn't Clara. It was actually your client, Emely Higgins," Liam revealed, a wry smile playing on his lips as he casually slipped his hands into his pockets.

Emely? A shadow passed over Bryan's features.

"If Jillian gets wind of this, she'll drag your client into the courtroom without hesitation. So, I went ahead and told her it was Clara," Liam elaborated.

Bryan remained silent for a moment, then picked up his phone and swiftly dialed Emely, instructing her to come to his office immediately.

After Bryan ended the call, Liam inquired, "Aren't you going to file the lawsuit today? If you sue Zachary for bribing you, it will be an easy win for you. And you'll avoid facing Jillian in court altogether."

"Don't fret over it," Bryan responded, his voice steady as he took a sip of his coffee.

"This doesn't sound like you. Did you develop feelings for Jillian after that night?" Liam jested.

"What makes you think I've fallen for her?" Bryan shot back, his tone laced with mild irritation.

"Then why not wrap up this divorce case quickly?"

"She's too proud. Why shouldn't I toy with her a little longer?" Bryan's gaze was deep and contemplative.

Hadn't she declared it all just a game? Then he would play the game as well.

"Just be careful not to lose the case in the process. I've witnessed Jillian in the courtroom. She's astute and assertive, wrapping up her cross-examinations before the opposition knows what's hit them."

"Do you really think I'd lose to her?" Bryan raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"What if your judgment is clouded by feelings?" Liam teased.

Emely entered Apex dressed in a deep V-neck black dress, exuding allure with every step.

"Bryan, what's the reason for this summons?" she inquired, her hips swaying as she circled his desk, daringly resting a hand on his shoulder and trailing it toward his chest.

She was undeniably captivating and confident in her ability to sway any man.

In an instant, Bryan stood, seizing her by the neck and hauling her to the floor-to-ceiling window, pushing her against the window ledge.

She screamed in shock.

"First, if you ever dare to touch me again, I'll break your goddamn hands. Second, if you send anyone after Jillian again, I'll ensure you're behind bars without a dime to your name," he warned sternly.

Emely gasped, her hands frantically clawing at his grip.

Her upper body hung precariously over the edge, and as she caught sight of Bryan's fierce and ruthless demeanor, her complexion blanched. She peered downward, horror-stricken.

This building soared 118 stories above the ground!

"I-I won't do it again..."

Bryan then hauled her back up, roughly pushing her aside. "Remember this warning well," he admonished.

Emely, in her high heels, tripped and crashed to the floor. She clenched her fist in frustration but restrained herself.

"Why do you defend her?" she demanded.

Bryan, retrieving tissues from his desk, wiped his hands with a look of distaste, then fixed her with a piercing gaze. "Can you comprehend the impact this would have on my reputation?"

Was he concerned that news of this incident might tarnish his image? She suspected he harbored personal feelings for Jillian.

"So you're certain you'll win, then? I refuse to lose half of my assets," she stated.

Recently, she had researched Jillian, discovering that this lawyer had handled major cases and had even recently secured an acquittal for a death row inmate.

Bryan was known for his lethal courtroom strategies, while Jillian was celebrated for her near-miraculous legal victories!

Emely was genuinely alarmed and did not want to face Jillian in court.

"In my profession, it's not about if I can win, but if I choose to win. Now, please leave," he stated icily, reclining in his chair.

Emely held her tongue and exited quietly.

In the car, en route to the courthouse.

"Jillian... I find the plaintiff quite sympathetic. His daughter is in the hospital, desperately needing funds for surgery. If we lose today, and they miss out on the insurance payout, how will she manage?" the assistant said, his voice tinged with concern.

Jillian crossed her legs, perusing the evidence in her hands, then lifted her eyes to meet his.

"Believing wholeheartedly in your client and striving for their utmost benefit is the fundamental responsibility of a lawyer."