Chapter 327 Bad Ending
Ella
The familiar glass and steel structure of my firm loomed large as I approached, trying to shake off the morning’s events. The legal world moved fast, and I hoped the afternoon would be a reprieve.
Upon entering, I was met with a hubbub of chatter. Everywhere I looked, small clusters of my colleagues were in animated conversation, their gazes darting towards me with a mix of curiosity and another emotion that I couldn’t quite read..
I rolled my eyes. “Not again,” I muttered to myself. It seemed as if I’d become the latest office source of gossip, yet again. Annoyance gnawed at me; I just wanted to get back to my office and dive into paperwork, seeking solace in the monotony.
But just as I was nearing my door, ready to close myself off from the world, I heard my name being called.
“Ella!”
I turned to see Sarah, one of the more outspoken paralegals, making her way over to me. With a wary sigh, I prepared myself for another barrage of rumors and pointed questions. However, her warm, genuine smile caught me off guard.
“We heard about your face-off with Westbrook,” Sarah began, her usually cold tone filled with an unexpected hint of awe. “That was… kind of impressive, for you to stand up to him like that.”
I raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised. “Oh? I didn’t expect the news to spread so quickly.”
Sarah nodded. “You know how it is. News travels faster than light in this place. Especially when it involves Westbrook. He’s notorious for strong-arming opponents, but you didn’t budge.”
I shrugged, the memory still fresh. “He’s just a man, Sarah. A bully, yes, but still just a man.”
“Exactly,” she agreed, “but not many see it that way. You’re… kind of brave, Ella.”
Feeling the weight of several eyes on us, I looked around and realized a few more coworkers had joined our conversation. They all nodded in agreement, their smiles genuine. A voice boomed from behind. “That she is.”
I turned to see Mr. Henderson making his way over. His usually stern face was replaced with a rare grin. “I must say, Ella, I’m thoroughly impressed. Not only did you win the case, but you stood your ground admirably. That’s the sort of spirit this firm needs.”
A small smile played on my lips. “Thank you, Mr. Henderson. I just did what I felt was right.”
He nodded approvingly. “And that’s why you’re here. Keep it up.”
The sudden sound of clinking glasses diverted my attention. To my shock, a few of my colleagues had gathered around a table set with champagne and an array of treats. A banner overhead read, “Congratulations, Ella!”
“Consider this a small token of appreciation,” Mr. Henderson declared, his voice ringing out. “For standing up to bullies and for a job well done.” I was genuinely taken aback. “… I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
As people cheered and clinked their glasses, I couldn’t help but bask in the warmth of the moment. Sarah came over, handing me a flute of champagne. “Cheers to not backing down,” she whispered, an unexpected-although small -smile on her face.
But amidst the jubilation, I still caught a few side eyes and muted whispers. A handful of colleagues stood at the periphery, their expressions sour. I knew not everyone was thrilled about my newfound approval, but at that moment, I chose not to let it bother me.
Instead, I raised my glass, looking around at the smiling faces. “Thank you, everyone. For the support, for the camaraderie. Today was a win for justice, not just for me. Cheers!”
The room erupted in applause and cheers, the atmosphere light and merry. As the impromptu celebration wound down, I found myself leaning against my office door, a contented smile on my face. The day had started with uncertainty and apprehension but had ended on such a high.
While I knew the challenges wouldn’t end, and not everyone would always be in my corner, for now, I felt a sense of belonging and acknowledgment.
And with that thought, I dove into my paperwork, the evening sun casting a golden hue over the room, a gentle reminder that some clouds really do have silver linings.
I was still riding the high of the day’s victory when I descended the subway steps, ready to head home and sink into my bed. The platform was sparsely populated, the only sounds being the distant hum of an oncoming train and hushed conversations.
The feeling of unease started as a prickling at the back of my neck. I glanced around, trying to shake off the sensation of being watched. I reassured myself it was just my imagination, the leftover jitters from facing off with Westbrook.
Suddenly, the world spun. Hands closed around my arms, yanking me back into the shadows.. Panic surged through me, my mouth open in a scream that was quickly muffled by a gloved hand.
“Quiet now,” a man’s voice hissed in my ear. They dragged me deeper into the labyrinthine underground of the subway, away from prying eyes. As we descended, the world grew colder, dampness clinging to the walls and my panicked breaths.
I felt Ema’s strength surge, but it was no use. The men had me held so tightly and had taken me by surprise in such a way that I had no room or energy after my exhausting past few days to fight back against all of them. I could feel Alpha auras emanating from most of them, and I knew that I would be no match against the entire group.
In a dimly lit chamber, they roughly tied me to a chair, the ropes biting into my wrists. Struggling was futile; they were far too strong.
“Who are they?” Ema growled, struggling to give me her strength through my fear and exhaustion. “Westbrook’s men? Mafia?”
“No clue,” I answered, looking around frantically. “I need to focus on escaping.”
Ahead, at the end of the room, I could see a single door. But it was blocked by two large men. I was trapped, underground, where no one could hear my screams.
“We’ll fight,” Ema said. “I’ll give you my strength.”
“There’s no use,” I said. “Most of them are Alphas, and huge ones at that. I’m just one Alpha female. I’d be dead before I reach the door.”
“But you might be dead right here in this chair if you don’t try anything,” Ema pleaded. Ema was right. I let my body relax, allowing her to loan me her strength. But before I could make any move to break my bonds, a man in a dark mask approached, a sinister grin evident in his eyes.
In his hand, he held a series of photographs that made my heart sink and my strength fade again: my baby sister, Daisy. There she was, laughing with friends, walking to school, living her innocent life, entirely unaware of the dark shadow now looming over her.
“You see,” the masked man began, his voice dripping with menace, “we know your weaknesses. Daisy’s quite the gem, isn’t she? We’ve been watching. And if you want her to remain safe, you’ll leave this city”
Tears welled up, and my voice quivered as I responded. “Please, don’t hurt her. She’s just a child. I’ll do anything. Just… don’t hurt her.”
The room was filled with the mocking laughter of the men. The masked man leaned close, his foul breath hot against my ear. “Remember, Ella, we’re always watching.”
“Wh-Who are you?” I murmured. The man simply laughed. And then, suddenly, something hit me on the back of the head, and everything went dark.
The next thing I knew, the cold, rough texture of the alley ground pressed into my cheek. The men had dumped me like garbage, still bound. Helplessness gnawed at me, the feeling even more potent in the suffocating silence.
Time passed, each second an agonizing stretch, until finally, a faint voice reached me.
“Hey… Hey, lady! Are you okay?”
I squinted through my tears, trying to make out the form of my savior. A homeless woman, her face lined with hardships and eyes filled with kindness, crouched beside me, working to free my wrists.
“Who did this to you?” she asked gently. I tried to respond, but words got caught in my throat, coming out as sobs instead.
The ropes gave way, and I cradled my sore wrists, tears streaming down my face. “Thank you,” I choked out, the weight of my gratitude so immense it felt inadequate.
She simply nodded. Years of living on the streets in this city had no doubt shown her many things like this, desensitized her to it in al way. “Go home, dear. And be safe.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. My legs, though shaky, carried me out of the alley. The journey home felt like a blur, every shadow a potential threat. I fumbled for my keys, my trembling hands making the task nearly impossible.
Once inside my apartment, I locked the door, sliding down against it, the dam of emotions. finally breaking. My thoughts swirled, a cacophony of fear, anger, and concern for Daisy. The magnitude of the danger she could be in suffocated me.
The tears kept coming, staining the wooden floor beneath. My sanctuary had been shattered, the reality of my situation cruelly hammered home.
The battle I had fought in the courtroom was nothing compared to the one that now awaited me.
