A sudden sense of dread washed over Rachel. Her gut told her that Sasha’s matter was about to be completely ruined by Howard.

Moments later, a man in a tailored suit walked in. The moment Rachel saw him, she could tell that he was a lawyer. Every profession carried its own aura, and this man’s was unmistakable. Howard hadn’t come here unprepared.

The man stepped forward and introduced himself politely. “Hello, I’m Bennett Hurley, an attorney with Galaxy Enterprise.”

At the sound of his name, Rachel’s brows furrowed, her cool gaze narrowing in recognition. Bennett Hurley. Everyone knew who he was—the man who dominated half the legal field in the country. Since the day he’d taken up practice, he had never lost a case. People said he could make even the dirtiest cases look clean. Just like that, Rachel’s confidence slipped. She faced him squarely.

“Mr. Hurley, I know how formidable you are, but are you really going to defend this? My stepmother is trying to steal my father’s estate while he’s sick. Worse, she even tried to kill him not long ago. Is that really someone you’re willing to stand behind?”

It was her last hope—that maybe Bennett had a shred of professional ethics left. Alas, she had underestimated the weight of money. The lawyer, composed and righteous in demeanor, replied, “Ms. Lloyd, I’m just a lawyer. If someone hires me, I do the job. As for right or wrong—that’s your family’s problem, not mine. My only duty is that once a case is handed to me, I fight to win it.”

Rachel could hear it clearly. There was no room for negotiation. She didn’t waste another word.

“Fine. Then I’ll see you in court.”

Howard chuckled, unable to contain himself. “Rachel, are you still dreaming? Do you actually think you can turn this around? Let me spell it out—you don’t stand a chance. Give up. Or better yet, get on your knees right now and beg. Maybe then, I’ll let you off.”

Rachel shot him a look full of contempt. “That’s what you’ve been waiting for, isn’t it? You want me to kneel and grovel at your feet. Howard, you’re nothing but a rat in the gutter, stabbing people in the back. Tell me, do you really have nothing left in this world worth living for? Is your entire life just going to be about revenge against me?”

Her words wiped the smirk off his face. Howard’s expression turned awful. “Rachel, what the hell are you so smug about? Who do you think you are?”

Rachel’s heart skipped; fear pricked at her chest. Before it could take root, Howard’s demeanor flipped again. He burst out laughing, wild and unhinged, his madness sending shivers down her spine. “That’s exactly what I like about you. Anyone else, I wouldn’t even bother with. But you? I love that fire in you.”

If someone else had said those words, Rachel might have mistaken them for a compliment. But from Howard’s mouth, they were nothing but revolting. He toyed idly with the face of his watch, speaking with deliberate patience. “So, Rachel, what do you say? Beg me, and I’ll let you walk away.”

Rachel’s chest burned with fury, her eyes filled with hostility. She felt like she could put a bullet straight through this jerk!