His Nanny Mate By Eve Above Story

Chapter 262 #Chapter 10 Crime & Punishment

Ella

The next day, I went to work with conviction set in my heart. I wouldn’t let this run-in with the mafia hold me back. If anything, it would only serve to fuel me.

But the moment my office door swung open, I knew something was wrong. Mr. Henderson’s face was an unnerving shade of red, and his eyes shot daggers at me. It seemed the walls had ears, and the news of my recent altercation with Logan had already reached him.

“Ella,” he started, his voice dripping with restrained fury, “did you really tear up a contract with one of the most influential clients this firm has ever had?” I squared my shoulders and met his gaze directly. “Yes, Mr. Henderson, I did.”

Mr. Henderson drew in a long, sharp breath that sounded like a hiss. “And why, pray tell, did you do that?”

“Because Logan Barrett is a member of the mafia, sir.”

Just then, Mr. Henderson leaned forward, his palms flat on the desk. “Do you have any idea of the penalty for breaching that contract? We can’t afford such an astronomical amount, especially not for a rookie like you!”

My chin lifted defiantly. “I’ll pay the penalty. Whatever it is.”

penalty, Miss Morgan, is substantial. Far beyond what I think you can afford. Although, I suppose you expect

a deep breath, even as my insides churned with anxiety. “I’ll figure it out on my own. But I couldn’t-I wouldn’t-be part of

Henderson’s eyes searched mine. “Why did you do it, Ella? Why risk

I responded, my voice unwavering. “I came to fight against

his weary face. “You’re a halfway decent rookie lawyer, Ella, but maybe your family has shielded you too much. You have these… naive ideas of challenging the Mafia’s

Henderson was getting

and then his voice dropped lower. “Our firm, Ella… We pay a tribute to Logan’s group every year. It ensures

the wind had been knocked out of me. “What?

snapped, his earlier restraint melting away. “It’s the cost of doing business here. You were hoping to take on the Mafia, but the reality is they’re everywhere. Even

my gut. The realization that the very system I had hoped to cleanse was willingly in bed with the enemy left me feeling sick. I was battling a leviathan,

as I believe in what you’re trying to do, it’s too

stung my eyes, not from sadness but from a fiery rage. I was angry at the system, at the mafia, and at myself for

gathered my belongings, not a single colleague daring to meet my eyes or offer words of consolation. The murmur of whispers and hushed conversations in the office hinted that

at once. The city I had come to hoping to make a difference in seemed like a giant puzzle with pieces that didn’t

from my thoughts. The screen showed Moana calling, her name accompanied by a picture of

your day?” Moana asked cheerfully, clearly unaware of

water running, and various voices. I recognized the voices of our maids, Lily and Amy, and our elderly housekeeper, Selina-more of a live-in grandmother at this point, as she was getting too old these days to do as much as she used to-in the background. They were in the

began, but my voice faltered. A sob choked in my throat, and tears rolled down my

voice turned worried.

but words eluded me. Just then, my dad’s deeper tone replaced Moana’s. “Ella, talk to us. What happened?” Mustering as much strength as I could,

a pause. I could hear my dad’s voice: “I knew that goddamn dump of

home. Our city has some great law firms. One of my Alpha friends even has his own. Maybe you

even as doubts clouded my mind. “At