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.

Sarah remarked, her voice dripping with faux surprise as she approached, her stack of case papers in hand. “I must say, I didn’t expect to see you here today. I figured you’d be off somewhere… else. We all did, actually.” The insinuation

coffee cup at the counter. “I guess I’m popular, huh?” My words were genial, but I felt the exact opposite. And Sarah didn’t return my

like any other day.” She smirked. “Right. Cases.” And with

hand, still warm from the printer, went scattering everywhere. Instinctively, I bent down to help. “Here’s your chance,” my wolf whispered. “Show her you’re more than just rumors. Show her your heart.

with a smile. “Quite the morning, huh?” Sarah hesitated, then

I tried to maintain my composure. “Of

law joked loudly about how “connections” made things

reached my office, I closed the door softly behind me, letting the weight of the morning sink in. The walls felt like they were closing in, the

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

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

what if they want to gossip?

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

deep and guttural. “Then prove them wrong. Let your work speak for itself. Show them

to center myself. “I know, I know. It’s just… it’s easier said than done. I’ve worked so hard to be here. To be seen as competent, capable. Not just… someone’s

from within responded. “Then let’s remind them of who Ella really is. Show them your strength, your grace. Your abilities. Not

at my lips. “Thanks. I

determination, I decided to put the morning

I already found myself swamped with paperwork. Files were scattered all across my desk, and my computer screen flashed with new emails. Among them, one particular message

detailing our new case. I had expected something about extortion, smuggling, or maybe another high-profile heist. Instead, I

to, and for a moment, I was puzzled as to why Logan was

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

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