Chapter 25 Crossroads
Chapter 25 Crossroads
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Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message from the landlord. “Have you decided on a time to view the apartment?”
Tess gripped her phone tightly. With no other option, she forced out a polite excuse and declined.
Sliding the phone back into her bag, she looked out at the crowd moving past her on the street, her gaze filled with confusion and helplessness.
No money. No place to stay. Where were they supposed to go?
Her eyes drifted aimlessly. She strolled, almost stopping with each step until she came to a halt in front of a wall plastered with small loan ads.
Dazed, Tess looked up–only to realize the building belonged to a private law firm.
She stood still outside the door, her heart heavy with emotion.
Law used to be her passion. A profession she’d loved and respected with all her heart.
But that life felt a million miles away now.
Lowering her head and holding Layla close, she forced her eyes back to the loan flyers, pretending to focus.
As she started jotting down the phone number, a cool sensation brushed her forehead–followed by a shadow falling over
Someone held an umbrella over her head.
Startled, Tess caught the faint, crisp scent of pine drifting from beside her.
“Tess, came a soft, familiar voice. “Come with me.
“I’ve got a villa waiting for you. It’s been ready for a long time. You can hire a nanny to help with the baby–whatever you need.”
Max had appeared out of nowhere. He stood beside her, his voice gentle, eyes full of longing. When he looked at her, it was as if she were the only thing that mattered in his world.
Tess instinctively took a step back, chilled to the bone.
The distance between them widened instantly. Max’s expression dimmed, and even his voice grew hoarse. “You just lost your job. You’d rather be homeless than lean on me, even a little?”
His words were low and bitter, each one heavier than the last.
But Tess had long since made up her mind–she wanted nothing more to do with any of them. She turned her face away, jaw tight, refusing to waste her breath. But the moment she heard the following sentence, she whipped around, eyes blazing. “You’ve been watching me? Following me?”
She scanned the area in panic, searching the crowd for any suspicious bystanders, looking every bit like a frightened rabbit.
Seeing her like that sent a sharp pain lancing through Max’s chest.
Is that really what you think of me?”
Her eyes were guarded, suspicious–but that one sentence made her pause.
Maybe she’d overreacted. Perhaps he wasn’t stalking her.
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Chapter 24 Crossroads
A hesitant voice broke the tendon
Tea turned toward the sound Across the street, the glass door to the law office swung open. A hand pushed the door open- slender fingers, pale and clean and then came a face she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Their eyes met the man’s expression lit up, instantly softening the stern vibe of his black suit. The contrast was almost boyish
He looked both shy and passionate
“Mx Ember! It’s you!”
“Charles‘ te blinked, surprised–and then united.
Her gaze swept over him, taking in the changes
Gone was the shy, awkward young intern she remembered. He looked more mature now. The chunky black–rimmed glasses had been replaced with sleek gold frames that made him took refined and calm.
They felt like long–lost friends crossing paths by fate. Her throat tightened with emotion.
She never thought she’ll see Charles again.
Hack when she was still one of the country’s top lawyers and before prison–he had been just a quiet intern, always hovering on the edges of the room. He rarely spoke up, and the tasks she assigned him were often completed clumsily. Everyone thought he’d be the first to get cut.
But she’d seen something in him an instinct for detail, a sharpness that couldn’t be taught. He didn’t have the flash, but he had the substance. So she mentored him, even brought him to court to observe her debates up close.
And now, barely a year and a half later, helt started his own firm?
She didn’t know what to feel. Was it pride–like a teacher seeing her student succeed? Or a kind of wistful ache, knowing that the world was no longer hers?
She had once been a living legend in the field. But a year ago, she went to prison for stealing corporate secrets. That stain would follow her forever. And now, standing in front of a former student, she couldn’t help feeling a bit out of place.
“Congratulations, she said, recovering quickly.
She extended her hand with genuine warmth.
Charles froze for a second, staring at her outstretched hand like it was glowing
“Thank you so much!”
He gave a slight, respectful nod and gently took her hand–just like he used to, as if she were someone significant.
Just like the socially anxious intern he’d once been
Tess felt a sting behind her eyes.
“Ms. Ember, I, uh, I overheard some of that just now Are you having trouble finding a place?” He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. I have an old apartment. It’s not as fancy as what Mr. Hunt can offer, but it’s clean, and it’s yours if you want it Rent’s not a problem–you can pay whatever you feel comfortable with. If you don’t mind the place, that is…”
His eyes were bright with sincerity, but there was a flicker of unease, too–he glanced sideways at Max’s face.
Sure enough, the moment he finished speaking. Max’s expression darkened That usually soft, elegant face turned cold, his eyes fixed on Charles with unmistakable displeasure
Charles felt his palms go clammy. Still, he avoided Max’s glare and kept his eyes on
