Chapter 1 Attorney of the month

Ivana Anderson carefully gathered her files from the desk, organizing them in her bag according to the numbers written on them. Her actions sparked whispers from the audience, but she remained unbothered.

"Is she leaving already?"

"She knows she's lost the trial."

"She should be arrested for defending a criminal."

"What a shame!"

"I'm glad he'll spend the rest of his life in prison."

The murmurs filled the supreme court atmosphere, prompting reporters to capture more photos.

It was the final trial of the notorious businessman accused of attempted murder in a remote area with Ivana Anderson as the defense lawyer.

Ivana Anderson is known as one of the city's most potential attorneys, and she was recently nominated as "the attorney of the month". However, she's hated by many people because, according to them, she doesn't behave like a lawyer should.

Her defense of wealthy criminals, regardless of their guilt, has sparked hatred, especially since her motivation seems solely driven by financial gain.

Shortly, the judge announced, "We will have a brief recess before declaring the verdict."

The defendant, a man who seems to be in his early fifties, tugged lightly on Ivana's clothing to get her attention.

"You promised not to let me rot in prison." he hissed.

"I intend to keep my promise," she replied calmly.

The defendant closed his eyes, struggling to contain his anxiety. "Then where are you going? You're packing up already."

Ivana paused in her business and threw her client a nonchalant gaze. Her lips curled into a light smile, and she bluntly replied, "I'm packing to go home. I'm done with your case."

Before the defendant could press further, the judge approached the bench again. "I now announce the verdict: The defendant is found guilty of reckless endangerment due to his failure to relocate his office prior to the demolition. Although no fatalities occurred, he has agreed to pay $30 million in compensation for damages. As a result, he will serve three years of parole."

As the judge banged his gavel, the courtroom erupted in whispers once more.

"This is unfair!" Someone yelled from the crowd. "My daughter is now in a comatose state due to the demolition. Bribing me with money doesn't guarantee she'll wake up!"

The defendant opened his mouth, but closed it shortly after words refused to come out. He was obviously fazed by the situation.

Ivana handed him a tissue, "Bow and apologize to the victims if you want to show remorse," she whispered to him, and he nodded hastily.

R eeeee the way I

The defendant stepped forward, his hands clasped together, and faced the victims, "I know you're all disappointed in me, and you have every right to be. I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your homes. Please forgive me." he bowed, dabbing at his eyes with the tissue Ivana had given to him.

As the murmuring subsided, they exited the courtroom and headed for the waiting room.

"Such ungrateful people! Lowlifes!" The defendant cursed out loud earning a glare from Ivana.

"Be careful, Mr. Walker. We are still in the courthouse, you know what that means, don't you?" Ivana asked him, her lips curved into a light smile.

The defendant scoffed, "I know, I'm just trying to express my feelings. I lost $30 million to those losers!"

Ivana looked at him, sighing deeply. Though he'd been rude, she hadn't expected him to be so brazen. Before she could intervene, three suited men barged in.

"My apologies for the delay, Mr. Walker," one said. "We were stuck in traffic." They bowed, offering him a change of clothes.

The defendant clicked his tongue in disdain. "Incompetent," he muttered.

Ivana glanced at her wristwatch. "I will get going now. I have other cases to attend to." She turned to leave, but Mr. Walker stopped her by grabbing her wrist.

"Wait, where are you rushing off to? We should have lunch together, don't you think so?"

His question threw Ivana off the balance and she stared, "What are you doing?" she calmly asked, though her expression suggested otherwise.

Mr. Walker moved closer, "Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful?" he asked as his other hand slid through her back and rested on her butt.

"You are the most beautiful female lawyer I've ever seen," He grinned, turning to his workers, "Isn't that right?"

His workers appeared confused but quickly nodded their heads, "Of course!" They answered in unison.

Ivana's gaze swept over them, disgusted by their behaviour.

"So what?" she calmly asked him. "Are you suggesting we spend a night together? Should I book a hotel room right away?"

"What?" The question took him off guard.

"You'd better get your filthy hands off me if you don't want to spend your old age in prison!" She said firmly, though her tone remained calm, and he released his grip immediately.

The man laughed, "You are so scary, loosen up!"

"Apologize to me right this instant!" Ivana demanded.

The man remained quiet for a while and afterwards cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, I crossed the line."

A proud smile spread across Ivana's face, and she slowly took a few steps towards the man, causing him to cautiously move backwards.

As she got close to him, their nose inches away from each other, she held him by the collar. "If any news of sexual harassment caused by you reaches my ears, I'll make sure you get a death sentence. Am I clear?" she whispered.

Before the man could reply, she turned around exiting the waiting room.

As Ivana arrived outside and got into her car, her phone rang. "What is it?" she asked curtly.

"The people you asked me not to let into your office are here, and they are refusing to leave even after I told them you're unavailable." the caller replied.

Ivana placed her phone on the holder and buckled her seatbelt. "Who is it?" she asked, trying to recall the many people she'd banned from her workplace.

"The thing is..." the caller's words faltered, and Ivana sensed a hint of fear in her voice.

"It's okay, tell me." she demanded.

"It's your family." the caller said.

Ivana's grip on the steering wheel tightened. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes to compose herself.

"I will be right there." she said, then ignited the engine.

When Ivana arrived at her workplace, she burst into her office where she was surprised to see the last people she'd expected: a woman in a stunning duchess gown, and beside her, a bearded young man who shared a striking resemblance with her.

"What are you two doing here?" Ivana demanded, her hand still grasping the door handle, tightening its grip.

The woman countered, ignoring Ivana's question, "Why haven't you been picking your calls? Have you been ignoring us on purpose?"

Ivana sighed and gently closed the door before walking to her desk. "I have been busy." She casually replied, placing her bag on the desk. After a brief silence, she asked again, "Why are you both here?"

The woman sighed. "Your brother needs your help; he's been falsely accused of running an illegal drug business," she added nonchalantly.

"Oh please, falsely accused?" Ivana snorted. "I didn't become a lawyer to deal with this mess you call a son." she said as she flipped through the files on the table.

Shortly after, she turned to the bearded man, who was engrossed in his phone. "And you!" Ivana called out, snapping her finger to get his attention. "Didn't I make myself clear the last time that I was never going to help you if you'd get into trouble again?"

The young man laughed, running his hands through his brown hair in a mixture of frustration and amusement. "Ivana, I was falsely accused. I didn't do anything wrong, I'm the innocent one!" he yelled, then suddenly bit back his volume as the woman beside him threw him a warning glare.

An amusing smile spread across Ivana's face as she watched them both in silence. "Really? You are the innocent one?" she asked in a low, clear voice, and he hastily nodded his head.

She left her desk and stood in front of them, scratching the tip of her nose. "But too bad, I can't help you this time. Find yourselves a different lawyer." She whispered.

"What? Find ourselves a different lawyer?" the woman scoffed. "Is this how you have decided to repay me after everything I've done for you?" she snapped, her voice rising.

Ivana balled her fist, containing her anger. "I pay for the house, provide food, and give you both a monthly allowance. What more do you want from me?" She calmly asked, her anger shimmering just below the surface.

The woman rose, her face twisted in rage. "You spiteful brat! I raised you and took care of that nearly dead brother of yours when you underwent therapy five years ago, so you owe me and you need to pay me back for the rest of your life!"

"No, you're wrong!" Ivana yelled at her face. "I don't owe you anything. I've already paid you back in full for what you've done for me and my brother."

The young man stood up and grabbed Ivana's arm. "Shut up! Don't you dare talk down to my mother, you ungrateful bitch!" He raised his other hand, almost slapping her, but stopped midway.

"What are you waiting for? Hit me!" Ivana urged him. "Hit me and I guarantee you'll spend the rest of your life in prison!" she said, causing him to slowly let go of her arm.

"How could you be so heartless toward your own family?" the woman asked, her voice laced with pain.

Ivana laughed maniacally. "Family?" she applauded three times, her eyes locked on the woman. "Don't be delusional, stepmom."

She pointed towards the door. "Leave my office this instant." When they hesitated, she snapped, "Get out!"

"Do you think you'll always own this office?" Her stepmother snickered, pulling the young man towards the door, "Let's go, Marcus."

As soon as they left, Ivana slowly closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead to reduce the sudden migraine. When she was calm, she returned to the files on her table.