hapter 18
When Owen woke up in the hotel, the headlines had already exploded.
He stared at the unconscious look of himself in the photo, his eyes deep and mysterious. After a moment, he suddenly grabbed the car keys and. rushed out the door.
This time, a small recording pen lay in his pocket.
When Melissa opened the door, she was still wearing that nightgown, with a charming smile on her face: “You missed me so soon?”
“Delete the photos, Owen said as he opened his voice recorder, “or else I will sue you for drugging, defamation, and violating my right of publicity.”
Melissa’s face changed suddenly: “You recorded it?! Owen, are you crazy? For that bitch-”
“Call her one more word, he grabbed her chin, “and I will make you play the piano in jail for the rest of your life.”
One hour later, Owen’s personal account posted a statement: “Ms. Melissa created false rumors by drugging, evidence has been collected, and her legal responsibility will be pursued.”
In the attached audio, Melissa admitted all the conspiracy herself.
I went to the store yesterday and bought some groceries. After that, I met up with some friends for lunch. We had a great time catching up and reminiscing about old times. Later in the evening, I watched a movie at home before going to bed. It was a relaxing day.
On the rooftop of the law firm, the assistant asked cautiously, “Amelia, did Mr. Hayes help you vent your anger this time?”
Amelia looked at the distant neon lights and said calmly, “What was he doing to vent for me? He was clearly just cleaning up his own mess for his reputation.”
How could Owen, a man, possibly endure being toyed with by a woman at her fingertips.
When she turned around, her phone lit up.
It was a long letter sent by Owen, filled with repentance between the lines.
Amelia didn’t even look at it, she just deleted it.
Amelia no longer wanted to deal with the entanglement between Owen and Melissa.
Three days later, she had another very important thing to do.
The National Bar Association is co–hosting the North–South Lawyer Summit Debate, which is about to begin in New York.
Not only Phantom Law Firm, where Amelia works, but also other well- known law firms in the country will participate.
This was a grand event.
On the day of the debate, the New York Convention Center was bustling with activity, and every seat was filled.
On the stage, Amelia, dressed in a black suit, with red lips like a blade, stood behind the sign that read “Law Above All“.
On the other side, Owen wore a deep gray three–piece suit, with a calm
expression, representing the theme that “emotions are the foundation of law“.
The host smiled as he opened the debate: “Today’s topic is very special – when law conflicts with emotions, which should take precedence?”
The flashlights in the audience suddenly lit up, and everyone knew that this was not just an academic debate, but also the first public intellectual confrontation between this pair of “legal and political enemies“.
Amelia took the lead as the affirmative side presented their arguments.
When it was Owen’s turn, he remained silent for a long time.
“I used to believe in absolute rationality as well, he suddenly looked up and stared directly at Amelia, “until I was researching the legal code for a divorce case and realized that all the clauses stemmed from the same. original intention – to protect the emotional contract within marriage.”
“Legal provisions are the framework, but emotions are the flesh and blood, his voice g
grew hoarse. “It took me three years to realize that what truly matters is not how many cases you win, but…”
He looked at Amelia with fiery eyes and said, “I lost to you.”
In the shocked gaze of everyone, Owen stepped down from the podium. and walked straight to Amelia.
“I mistook obsession for love, he said softly, causing the front row of reporters to almost drop their cameras with a shaky hand. “It wasn’t until I lost you that I realized you were my only true color.”
Amelia’s hand holding the pen paused slightly.
Three years ago, the Owen who was cold and harsh to her in the study overlapped and separated from the man who was bowing in public in front of her.
MHC
She slowly got up and, as she passed by Owen, left a response that everyone could hear: “Mr. Hayes, the law does not allow for
assumptions.” She walked towards the center of the stage, “Just like life, there are no second chances.”
“Emotions can deceive, memories can be embellished, but legal
documents are always black and white. She clicked the remote, displaying
the divorce agreement Owen had signed three years ago. “Just like this document, once it takes effect, it’s irrevocable.”
Owen’s face turned pale.
A woman wearing sunglasses suddenly stood up in the back row – Melissa.
“What a passionate performance! she chuckled, taking off her sunglasses to reveal a weary face. “Owen, you went so far as to overturn a case you defended just to win her back?”
The media cameras were frantically turning towards her, but she suddenly pulled out a stack of photos and scattered them into the air.
Written in abundance, all were love letters Owen wrote to her back in the day.
“Do
you want me to remind you how you used to scold Amelia back then? ‘A boring wooden beauty“?”
Owen suddenly clenched his fists and said, “I don’t believe it! Those letters were forged by you!”
In the midst of chaos, Amelia struck the gavel.
–
“You see this is a typical case where emotions interfere with the law, she calmly pointed to the scattered love letters, “When private emotions invade the public domain, truth becomes the cheapest sacrifice.”
She finally looked at Owen, her eyes like a judge delivering a verdict: “My closing argument is finished,”
The debate ended with Amelia’s overwhelming victory.
Owen stopped her backstage: “Amelia! Believe me, I didn’t know she was
coming…”
Amelia gazed at him quietly for a long time, then suddenly smiled and said. “Does it really matter? Even without Melissa, the problem between us has never changed you only love the version of me in your
imagination.”
–
When she turned and walked away, Owen suddenly shouted, “What if I can prove it?”
She did not look back.
