Chapter 1 BENEATH THE SURFACE.

The courtroom buzzed with the energy of a dozen whispered conversations. Jia Liu sat at the plaintiff's table, her slender fingers flipping through the case file for the hundredth time. The words blurred on the page, but her mind remained sharp. This case, though minor in the grand scheme of her career, was personal. The small shop owner she represented reminded her of her late mother's resilience-fighting for dignity against impossible odds.

She exhaled, steeling herself as the opposing lawyer sauntered into the room. Her professionalism masked the nerves beneath, but her heart sank as she noticed someone seated in the gallery-an unfamiliar man with a sharp suit, a commanding presence, and the kind of confidence that came from being untouchable. His gaze bore into her, calm yet unnerving.

The trial began, but the man's presence pulled at her focus like a thread unraveling a tapestry. When the judge called for recess, Jia wasted no time leaving the room. She needed air, space to shake off the strange pull of his eyes.

Outside, the autumn wind bit at her cheeks, but it did little to calm the unease curling in her stomach. As she turned the corner of the courthouse, she nearly collided with him.

"Miss Liu," he said smoothly, his voice like silk brushing against steel.

"Who are you?" Jia asked, instinctively stepping back, her professional mask slipping slightly.

"Wei Zhang," he introduced himself, extending a hand. She didn't take it. "I've heard about you-a lawyer who doesn't shy away from standing up for the little people."

"I'm flattered," Jia replied curtly, trying to gauge his intentions. "But if you're here to discuss a case, you'll need to schedule an appointment."

He smiled, a faint curve of his lips that didn't reach his eyes. "This isn't about a case, not directly. I admire your work, Miss Liu, and I have a proposal. One that could benefit us both."

Jia crossed her arms, a mix of irritation and intrigue bubbling within her. "I don't deal with vague propositions. If you have something to say, Mr. Zhang, say it plainly."

His expression darkened, just enough to send a chill down her spine. "Very well," he said, his voice dropping. "You've caught the attention of some people who don't play by the rules you value so much. I'm here to ensure you don't become a target."

Her breath hitched. "And why would you care about my safety?"

His gaze softened, just a fraction, as if betraying something deeper than he intended. "Because sometimes, Miss Liu, even in shadows, there's a need for light. Whether you trust me or not, I'll be watching. For your sake."

Before she could respond, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving her standing in the biting wind, her mind racing.

Who was Wei Zhang really, and why did her world feel suddenly smaller, as though shadows were creeping in where light had always been?

Jia didn't have time for cryptic warnings or mysterious men. Wei Zhang's words lingered in her mind, but the case she was fighting required all her attention. By the time the recess ended, she was back in the courtroom, her argument as sharp and precise as ever. The small shop owner she represented won that day, and Jia allowed herself a rare smile of triumph.

But as she stepped out of the courthouse, the weight of the day returned with an eerie realization-Wei Zhang had been right. She'd noticed strangers lingering too long at her office building, the sudden influx of phone calls that hung up when she answered. Dismissing it as paranoia wasn't an option anymore.