Chapter 376
I didn’t sit in the front row where she could easily track me. No. I chose to sit a row behind her. Close enough to watch the tension in her shoulders. Close enough to see her breathe. But still giving her some space.
She placed her case folder on the podium, greeting the judge and opposing counsel with that polite, tight lawyer smile.
She was ready to win. Good. Winning makes the fall hurt worse.
I leaned back in my seat, one arm slung across the bench, legs stretched out. Relaxed. Like I was here to enjoy a show. Which honestly, I
was.
She glanced back just once to see if I was looking at her. Or to check if I was eyeing the busty journalist by her right. Of course she found me already watching her. Only her.
Her exhale shook just barely. And she smiled.
I slipped my hand into my pocket and let my thumb hover over the remote. Not pressing. Not yet.
Let her sweat. Let her hope. Let her think I came just to support her.
The hearing began.
Penelope started strong–confident voice, flawless articulation, smooth transitions. This was what she was good at. Her gift. The one part of her identity that didn’t depend on being wanted.
And for that reason alone, it was the thing Roman and I had to break.
Revenge is only satisfying when you take down what they value.
The judge asked her to proceed. Her voice was steady. Clear. Poised. And I knew it was time to strike. To take away her boldness.
I pressed the button. Just once. A soft buzz–barely there. But I saw it.
She halted unceremoniously mid–speech.
Her breath caught. Her eyelashes fluttered. Her fingers tightened on the podium– just slightly. She did not look back. Then she cleared her throat, apologized and just kept talking.
Good girl.
She finished her sentence only a beat late–just enough for the seasoned ears in the room to catch that something was off. The opposing lawyer raised his head. Just a fraction.
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Chapter 376
Suspicion always starts small.
I waited. I let her continue. Let her rebuild her composure. Then–I pressed it again while she was speaking.
“It’s a bold claim, yes. But not baseless. You’ll find Exhibit C in front of you, Your Honor the recall notice filed two weeks before the acci-” She gasped loudly. Her lips parted on a breath that almost–almost–became an illicit sound. A moan.
She caught it. Swallowed hard. Shifted her weight like her shoe pinched. Then rolled her shoulders like she was suddenly having a muscle
cramp.
Everyone noticed. The Judge arched a brow in question. “Is everything alright over there? ” Judge Harrison inquired.
Her voice wavered. Just one note. Quickly recovered. “Yes, my lord p>
But recovery is noticeable if you’re looking for it.
The judge still stared at her suspiciously. Opposing counsel frowned at his notes. A clerk glanced up from typing.
Splinters in a dam.
I rested my wrist across the back of her chair casually, remote hidden behind my fingers, close enough that she could feel where I was
without seeing me.
I turned it off. I let her breathe.
Penelope inhaled like she’d been underwater. Her shoulders relaxed. Her spine straightened. She wiped sweat off her forehead and took several deep breaths.
Her confidence returned. She gathered her control. Her mind catching up to itself. I still noticed her rub her thighs together discreetly.
She regained the argument. Commanded the narrative. Her tone sharpened. She was winning again. So I took it away.
Highest setting.
The vibration surged through her. A loud moan left her mouth. She hunched over. Her hand slapped the podium.
Several breaths hitched–loud enough to echo. The judge paused. Everyone looked up.
Penelope froze. Then she slapped a hand over her mouth. You could see her fighting herself. You could literally sense that she was seeing her entire life and career flash before her eyes.
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From Best Friend To Fiancé
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.