Chapter 309 Shadows of The Past

Ella

The familiar scent of mahogany and fresh ink greeted me as I walked into the firm, but something felt different that day.

It wasn’t a physical change in the surroundings, but a shift in the atmosphere-the type of shift that instantly lets you know you’ve become the topic of whispered conversations.

Conversations halted mid-sentence, eyes diverted, and the atmosphere grew noticeably cooler. Jane from the legal research team was suddenly very interested in her coffee cup, while Peter from corporate had suddenly taken an intense interest in his shoe laces.

My inner wolf, always keen and alert, sensed the discomfort instantly. “It’s because of Logan”, she growled softly in the back of my mind. “It’s because of him and your association with him.”

I gave a forced smile to Diane, the receptionist, trying to brush off the internal chatter of my wolf and the external coldness of my colleagues. “Morning, Diane,” I greeted cheerfully, though I could feel the strain..

“Ella,” she replied, her tone lacking its usual warmth. Her gaze flicked to her computer screen, avoiding direct eye contact.

My heart sank. Diane had always been friendly, we had shared countless coffees and gossip during break time. This distant, almost clinical response wasn’t like her.

“Ignore them. What do they know anyway?” my wolf snarled. “We don’t need their validation.”

But it wasn’t about validation. “It’s about respect,” I answered in my mind, almost pleadingly to my wolf. “I’ve worked too hard to let this whole arrangement with Logan taint everything.”

But as I moved deeper into the firm, it became painfully evident that the frosty reception wasn’t limited to just the foyer.

papers in hand. “I must say, I didn’t expect to see you here today.

counter. “I guess I’m popular, huh?” My words were genial, but I felt the exact opposite. And Sarah didn’t return my good humor. “If that’s what

at the comment. “Well, I’ve got cases to work on, Sarah. Just like any other day.” She smirked. “Right. Cases.” And with that. biting remark, she moved

in her hand, still warm from the printer, went scattering everywhere. Instinctively, I bent down to help. “Here’s your chance,”

huh?” Sarah hesitated, then snatched them

to maintain my composure. “Of

to my office was a gauntlet of veiled remarks and pointed glances. Ben from family law joked loudly about how “connections”

walls felt like they were closing

wolf grumbled, frustration evident. “She couldn’t even be

quietly, sitting heavily in my chair. “These are my colleagues, my peers.

“So what if they want to gossip? It’s

rumors, Ema,” I murmured, rubbing my temples. “It’s about perception. If they see me as

sound deep and guttural. “Then prove them wrong. Let your work speak for itself. Show them that you’re

just… it’s easier said than done. I’ve worked so hard to be here. To be seen

who Ella really is. Show them your strength, your grace. Your abilities. Not because of Logan, but in spite

small smile tugged at my lips. “Thanks.

renewed determination, I decided to put the morning behind me and get

all across my desk, and my computer screen flashed

our new case. I had expected something about extortion, smuggling, or

for a moment, I was puzzled as to why Logan was involving us in such

appeared that the land in question was straddling the boundaries of two distinct regions in the city. For years, it seemed, the piece of land had been in a sort of limbo, without a clear jurisdictional ruling on which region it truly

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