LOVE ACROSS THE AISLE

and the judge's gavel still held the same stern finality, something fundamental had changed. The sting of defeat w

ics, irrelevant and heavy. The news coverage hadn't helped. "Hayes Convicted: Reed Scores Another Win" one headli

the glass window across the room seemed foreign-tired eyes, tense posture, and a crack in the confidence

quare, she had to admit. But that didn't stop her from questioning what might've happened if she'd pursued a different

e door pulled her

lled, half-expect

was D

sed, instinctively

ed, the sarcasm a weak shield for t

hind him. "Your assistant let m

About what? You already r

tside the courtroom-less intimidating in a tailored shirt with the top button undone, his

ou got your verdict. What el

long moment before speaki

d. "What ki

h our clients. Or rath

eyebrow, skept

's a connection between him and another defendant I've been building a case against.

r my help?" she a

ht," he clarified. "And ma

g her arms. "Why me? You

s like a villain. You fought for him like he mattere

ng about his tone, the way his gaze lingered not just with cal

"I'll listen. But if you try

dded. "Fa

statements, confidential memos. Emma couldn't deny the intrigue. There were clear ti

el said, tapping a note with a highligh

," Emma said. "Or mayb

embezzlement. There are people pulling strings from the shadows. This time,

of Daniel-not just the shark in a suit, but a man who believed

ile, her decisio

mething else," he said. "About that day in

I know. You were doin

poken settling between them. There was histo

the next lead," Daniel said,

said, stopping him. "You ever wonder how it might'

s expression unrea

he wa

point. And whatever happened next-whether they uncovered a conspiracy or fell deeper into each

pace between right and wrong, th

-