Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress by Vera Fiore

Chapter 8

A year ago, Katie had gone through a messy breakup. Her ex–boyfriend had presented her with an itemized bill, demanding repayment of $48,000 he’d transferred to her over their two–year relationship.

When Katie refused, he sued her. She’d come to the firm desperate for help, and Thalia was the only associate available.

“It wasn’t like that at all,” Katie had sobbed. “We lived together for two years. We agreed to split everything–rent, utilities, groceries. He said he’d transfer $2,800 each month for his half of rent and expenses, and I’d contribute the same.”

“I didn’t think much of it then. But after we broke up, he demanded everything back, claiming it was all given with marriage in mind and should be returned since we split.”

“But that money was for living expenses in New York! Our apartment was $4,200 a month, plus utilities and groceries. He barely spent $2,000 on actual gifts our entire relationship. How dare he sue me? God, I

can’t…”

“I’m still in law school–where am I supposed to get $48,000? I can’t tell my parents. If they find out I was living with a guy in college, my dad would kill me. Please, I don’t know what to do…”

The irony wasn’t lost on Thalia–a law student getting caught in such a legal trap.

Love could make even the smartest girls blind.

Thalia sighed, her heart going out to the young woman.

Most lawyers wouldn’t take a case where the client couldn’t afford the retainer. But Thalia was different.

Not only did she take the case, but she also loaned Katie the money for legal fees. Katie was already in such a difficult position–without help, Thalia worried she might do something desperate.

Legal fees went through the firm before being paid out to associates. As a junior associate at a mid–size firm making $145,000–modest by New York BigLaw standards but still comfortable–Thalia could afford to help. She immediately added Katie on Venmo to send her the retainer money. While her peers at firms like Cravath or Sullivan & Cromwell were pulling in $215,000, she’d chosen this smaller firm for its work–life balance and opportunity to handle cases she cared about.

After taking the case, Thalia worked tirelessly to gather crucial evidence. They won, and Katie was so impressed and grateful that she joined the firm as Thalia’s assistant right after graduation.

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Now, Katie asked through tears, “Once I finish my certification, could I come work with you?”

hadn’t expected

“Of course. I’ll be in London just let me know when you’re ready to make

you anywhere! You can’t

dream of it.”

from her resignation letter, puzzled. “Why the sudden departure? Any issues we

require a month’s notice, but this

have one appeal hearing in ten days–I’ll complete that before I

nodded slowly. “Well, then. Best of luck in your future endeavors.”

firm, Thalia wandered the

evening fell and lights flickered on, a

loneliness hit her.

city she’d

her accounts. She’d had just a few thousand in

days, she’d

the job and rented a cheap apartment near the firm.

last, and security deposit, she was nearly broke. Only help from her London friends kept

was sketchy,

had drunk

nights huddled in bed, terrified

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landlord claimed nothing could

she moved out, and the slumlord tried

requests for her deposit failed, the landlord turned abusive, hurling

satisfied, she filed suit for breach of contract and harassment. Before the case even

pursued the harassment suit. The

That had been her lowest

neighbor that the drunk got beaten up shortly after she moved–apparently picked the

Karma, she thought.

summer associateship, while working on a

that day. He claimed it was love

her relentlessly after that, getting all the little details right and showing