CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: SHE FELT ONLY RELIEF

A year ago, Michelle Scott broke up with her boyfriend, who presented her with a bill asking for repayment, showing over fifty thousand transferred over their two-year relationship.

Michelle refused to pay, so her boyfriend sued her. She went to the law firm for help, but all the other lawyers were out in court, only Talia Rhodes was in.

"That’s not at all how it was." Michelle sobbed, "I cohabited with him for two years. We agreed at the start that we’d split the rent, utilities, and living expenses equally. He said he’d transfer me two thousand each month to cover rent, utilities, and living expenses, and I’d contribute two thousand for shared costs."

"I didn’t think too much at the time, just did as he said. But who knew that after breaking up, he’d ask for the money back, claiming those were gifts given with the intention of marriage that should be returned after the breakup."

"But that money was clearly just daily expenses, how could it be considered a gift? In two years, the gifts he gave me didn’t even add up to five hundred. How does he have the gall to sue me?"

"Every month, the two thousand I had was my living expenses from my parents. Where would a college student like me find fifty thousand to pay him back? I don’t dare tell my parents. If they knew I was living with a guy off campus during college, dad would kill me. Sis, help me, I’m really at a dead end..."

It was ironically said that a law student like Michelle Scott could fall for a jerk’s tricks.

A love-struck girl falling for a jerk can be left with nothing.

Talia sighed helplessly, feeling very sympathetic for the girl before her.

Typically, lawyers wouldn’t take on cases from clients unable to afford lawyer fees.

But Talia was different. Not only did she take on the case, but she also lent Michelle money to pay the lawyer fees. At that time, Talia thought that Michelle’s situation was extremely difficult, and she feared Michelle might do something foolish if no one helped her.

Lawyer fees aren’t paid directly to the representing lawyer but transferred to the law firm, which then pays the lawyer’s salary.

Talia had just started practicing not long before, earning just seven thousand a month as a salary lawyer at the firm. Without a word, she added Michelle on WeChat and lent her the money to pay the lawyer fees.

After taking the case, Talia worked hard to gather the crucial evidence and won the lawsuit. Michelle was both impressed and grateful, and after graduation, she came to the law firm to work as Talia’s assistant.

Now, red-eyed, Michelle asked, "Talia, sis, I can’t leave now that I’m licensed. Can I come to you once my internship ends?"

Talia was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Michelle to ask that.

Soon, she replied gently, "Of course, you can. My home is in Oakhaven. If you want to come over, just contact me."

"That’s great!" Michelle smiled through her tears. "Sis, I’ll stick to you for life! Wherever you go, I’ll follow. You mustn’t mind me tagging along."

"I wouldn’t."

The law firm’s director’s office.

The director, a middle-aged man with glasses, saw the resignation letter and looked puzzled, "Talia, why do you suddenly want to resign? Did you encounter any difficulties at work?"

Talia shook her head, "No, Director, it’s not that. There are some things at home, and I must go back. I know resignations should be given a month in advance, but this is sudden, and I didn’t foresee it. I’m sorry."

Talia added, "I’ve almost completed the work handover. I have one case with a second trial in ten days. Once the trial is over, I’ll be heading back home. I’m letting you know in advance now."

The director paused, then replied, "If that’s the case, alright then. I wish you all the best in your future."

Talia left the law firm and strolled aimlessly down the street.

As night fell and the city lights began to glow, a cool evening breeze rustled through the treetops.

Talia suddenly felt a sense of loneliness.

She was about to leave the city she had lived in for three years.

She remembered the time she first arrived in Mirehaven; all her bank cards were frozen by Shawn Rhodes, leaving her with only a few thousand left in her WeChat wallet. She stayed in a hotel for three days.

During those three days, she secured a job and found a cheap rental near the law firm.

The rent required a deposit and three months’ payment upfront, leaving her almost penniless. She relied on help from her best friend in Oakhaven to afford meals.

The cheap rental community was a mixed crowd with poor security.

Shortly after moving in, she encountered a drunk knocking on her door.

Every midnight she’d cower under her covers, shivering, afraid to answer the door.

The landlord claimed there was nothing he could do.

Helplessly, she moved out, but not without the unscrupulous landlord maliciously withholding her deposit.

Initially, she asked politely for the deposit back, but the unscrupulous landlord not only refused but insulted her with every kind of foul language.

In anger, she retaliated by filing a report with "12366" about the landlord’s tax evasion for not issuing invoices, then reported them to "96119" for fire safety violations. Not stopping there, she also sued them for breach of contract and insults, causing the landlord endless trouble. Before the court could even file the case, the unscrupulous landlord returned her deposit.

She withdrew the breach of contract lawsuit but insisted on the insult case, ultimately winning, and the landlord compensated her for personal insult.

Thinking of this, Talia suddenly smiled. That was probably the most downtrodden time of her life.

Later, she heard from a girl who used to live next door that the drunk got beaten up shortly after she moved out, likely due to angering the wrong people. Since then, the unscrupulous landlord also disappeared from sight.

She just felt it was a case of bad deeds getting their comeuppance.

The first time she met Ethan Grant, she was still an intern lawyer, accompanying a lawyer from the firm to discuss a legal counsel contract with a small company under The Grant Group.

That day, Ethan Grant happened to be inspecting the company and, according to him, he fell in love with her at first sight.

After that, Ethan Grant pursued her fiercely, paying attention to every detail and offering emotional support whenever she needed it most.

Upon getting together, Ethan was good to her too, and they had sweet times.

The turning point came on the anniversary night.

They’d both had a bit to drink, and Ethan wanted to take the last step. He came over, hugged her, and leaned down to kiss her lips. In panic, she pushed Ethan away hard.

Ethan looked hurt and asked her hoarsely, "Why?"

She was so tense she stammered, "I... I’m not ready yet. Give me some time."

After that, Ethan wasn’t as nice to her.

Later on, she never got ready to take the final step with Ethan and was hesitant even to kiss.

She couldn’t exactly say why; maybe being in her first relationship, she didn’t want things to move too fast, or maybe because she knew Ethan had kissed many women and been with many others, making her subconsciously feel he was unclean and her body couldn’t accept it.

Whatever the reason, looking back now, she only felt lucky.

Returning to the villa, Ethan wasn’t there.

Talia took a shower and fell into a deep sleep.

In ten days, she’d be free to leave.

Wonderful.