Chapter 2

The next four hours were a blur of focused intensity.

I knew these documents better than anyone, better even than Mark. In my past life, I had obsessed over every detail of the case during my miserable, lonely years, trying to understand where it all went wrong.

Now, that obsessive knowledge was my weapon.

"David, cross-reference the signatory list with the final board resolution. Now," I commanded. "Jessica, pull up the SEC filing protocol, section 3B. There's a supplementary form Mark always forgets."

The team, initially hesitant, responded to my confidence. The anxiety in the room slowly transformed into a hum of productive energy. We worked seamlessly, a well-oiled machine under my direction. I found three critical errors Mark had overlooked in his haste, small details that would have invalidated the entire filing.

We were fixing his mistakes, saving his career, even as he was comforting his mistress. The irony was not lost on me.

At 11:57 PM, with three minutes to spare, I personally hit the 'submit' button on the electronic filing portal. A confirmation screen appeared.

'Filing Received. Thompson-Sterling Merger Agreement.'

A wave of relief washed over the room. The junior associates started cheering, patting each other on the back. They looked at me with a new respect, with awe.

"We did it," Jessica breathed, her eyes wide. "I can't believe we did it."

"I can," I said, a small, genuine smile touching my lips for the first time. "Good work, everyone. Go home and get some rest."

I stayed behind, tidying up the documents, my mind already moving to the next step. Saving the merger was just the first victory. The war was just beginning.

The next morning, my phone rang. It was an unknown number with a prestigious area code.

"Is this Sarah?" a deep, powerful voice asked.

"Yes, this is she."

"This is Arthur Thompson."

My breath caught in my throat. The tech billionaire himself. The man whose empire we had just saved.

"Mr. Thompson," I said, my voice steady. "It's an honor."

"The honor is all mine, Sarah. My people told me what happened last night. They told me you stepped up when my lead attorney... abandoned his post. You saved my company. I don't know how to thank you."

"I was just doing my job, sir."

"You did more than your job. You showed leadership and integrity. Qualities that seem to be in short supply at your firm."

Just then, my other line beeped. It was Mark. A cold, wicked idea sparked in my mind.

"Mr. Thompson, would you mind holding for one moment? It's my husband calling. I think you should hear this."

"Go ahead," he said, his voice laced with curiosity.

I merged the calls.

"Sarah! Where the hell are you?" Mark's voice was sharp, annoyed. He clearly had no idea what had transpired after he left.

"I'm on my way to the office, Mark. Why?"

"Why? Because Chloe is hungry! I told her you'd come over and make her breakfast. She likes your omelets. Why aren't you at her apartment?"

I remained silent, letting his words hang in the air. On the other end of the line, I could feel Mr. Thompson's silent, simmering fury.

Mark continued, oblivious. "Did that filing even go through? Whatever. Who cares about some old tech guy, anyway? Chloe was upset. You should have been there for her. Your priorities are completely screwed up."

"Is that so, Mr. Patterson?" Mr. Thompson's voice was like ice.

Mark fell silent. The sudden realization of who was on the line hit him like a physical blow. I could almost hear the blood draining from his face.

"M-Mr. Thompson... I... I can explain..."

"There is nothing to explain," Mr. Thompson cut him off, his voice lethal. "You are fired from my case. Effective immediately. And I am calling your managing partners right now. If you are not terminated from the firm by the end of the day, I will be pulling every last dollar of my business. We are done."

The line went dead.

Mark was still on the other line, breathing heavily, speechless.

"Looks like your priorities just got a lot simpler, Mark," I said softly, and then I hung up.