The days drifted by in the thick June heat of Oak Lake.

Byte June, one of the cases Fisher Corporation had handed to Allison was finally heading to trial.

Joshua and Watson both went to sit in on the hearing.

Inside the courtroom, serious and hushed, Allison took her ce at the intiff''s table. She wore a charcoal suit tailored to perfection, her expression focused andposed, clear eyes sharp enough to cut right through you.

When she looked at the opposing attorney, her gaze was steady and unflinching -she wasn''t someone you could rattle.

When it was her turn to speak, her voice was confident and clear, every argument crisp and logical, each pointid out effortlessly. It was like watching a chess grandmaster-step by step, she lured her opponent into every trap she''d set.

Throughout the back-and-forth, Allison was unshakable, always adapting on the fly. Whenever the otherwyer tried to throw her off or push back, she stayed calm, instantly spotting any weakness and countering with razor-sharpebacks that left the other side scrambling.

She controlled her pace and tone like a pro-sometimes fast, sometimes slow- directing the flow of the hearing and keeping everyonepletely hooked on her words.

By the end, it was obvious: Allison had won this round, hands down.

After the trial, outside the courthouse-

Allison, Joshua, and Watson walked out together, side by side.

"Mr. Fisher, the written judgment will probably take a few more days," Allison told Joshua.

Joshua nodded, his voice cool. "I''m sure we''lle out on top." He turned to Allison, not bothering to hide the admiration in his eyes. "Allie, you were incredible in there."

Allison blinked, then smiled. "Thanks for thepliment, Mr. Fisher."

"Allison, you were seriously impressive," Watson chimed in, grinning. "Now I see what everyone means about you being an elitewyer."

"Thank you."

But unlike the yful way she''d responded to Joshua, Allison''s reply to Watson was more distant-no wink, and her tone had cooled. Watson caught the change; the light in his eyes faded a little.

"Allison, want to grab lunch together?" Watson asked hopefully.

Joshua

"Sorry,

voice cool as ever.

con. I''ve got a few m

questions about the case for Allison.

?

I already asked her to lunch."

Watson''s smile turned a bit sly. "The trial''s over, Mr. Fisher. All that''s left is waiting

for the verdict. What else is there to ask?"

There was a definite edge to his words.

Joshua just let out a quietugh. "I''m the client. If I have questions for mywyer, how is that your concern, Watson? You''re not involved in this case. Maybe you''re getting a little too invested?"

Watson''s grin grew a touch sarcastic. "Or maybe Mr. Fisher''s just using the case

as an excuse to ask Allison out?"

Joshua shot him a cold look. "And if I am?"

Watson''s face darkened.

Watching the two of them gearing up for an argument, Allison could already feel a headacheing on.

They reached the parking lot.

Allison turned to Watson. "Sorry, Watson. Mr. Fisher is my client. If he wants to discuss the case, I can''t exactly say no."

Joshua''s lips curled into a small, satisfied smile as he tossed Watson a triumphant look.

Watson, facing Allison again, smoothed his expression and gave her a gentle smile. "Alright, then. I''ll head back."

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