chapter 2The Scandal

Elena wanted to believe this was all a bad dream.

Sitting across from Damian Westwood in her office, forced into an uneasy alliance, was her worst nightmare come to life. He had made her life hell for years—outmaneuvering her in court, mocking her in interviews, and flashing that insufferable smirk whenever he won.

And now, they were supposed to work together?

Absolutely not.

She flipped through the file Damian had brought, her fingers moving quickly over the pages. It contained the full details of the anonymous accusation:

Sinclair & Westwood firms accused of collusion. Secret backroom deals to control corporate law in the city. Sources claim years of manufactured rivalry to deceive clients.

Elena clenched her jaw. “This is a joke.”

Damian leaned back in his chair, watching her. “Funny, I don’t hear anyone laughing.”

She shot him a glare. “You really think I’d fake a rivalry with you?”

He smirked. “Wouldn’t be the worst thing that’s ever happened to you.”

She exhaled sharply. “God, I hate you.”

“Likewise.”

Their fathers had agreed that since the accusation directly involved their reputations, they had to be the ones to get ahead of it. Their firms’ entire credibility was at risk. If clients believed the rumors, they could lose millions in business—and if the Bar Association got involved, they could even face legal consequences.

The problem? Neither of them had the slightest idea who was behind the accusation.

Elena turned another page, scanning the details. “The email was sent to three major news outlets. No name, no traceable source, just a single message claiming we’ve been secretly working together to rig cases.”

Damian tapped his fingers against the desk. “Anyone with half a brain knows that’s bullshit. We barely tolerate being in the same room.”

Elena sighed, rubbing her temples. “That doesn’t matter. The press loves a scandal. And if we don’t find the source of this and clear our names, we’re screwed.”

Damian studied her for a moment. “What do you suggest, then?”

She hated that he was asking for her opinion, as if they were equals. But if they had to do this, they might as well start somewhere.

“First, we go through the cases mentioned in the accusation. Find out who benefits from this story gaining traction. Someone had to leak this information, and I intend to find out who.”

Damian smirked. “Good. I love watching you work when you’re angry.”

She shot him a warning look. “Enjoy the view while it lasts, Westwood. Because when we find out who’s behind this, I’m going to bury them.”

---

The Investigation Begins

The first thing Elena noticed about working with Damian wasn’t how frustrating he was. She already knew that.

It was how good he was.

As much as she wanted to hate him, there was no denying his intelligence. He worked quickly, scanning through cases and pinpointing inconsistencies. He saw patterns others missed, and he never hesitated to push her—just like he did in court.

Unfortunately, that also meant they butted heads constantly.

“Your method is too aggressive,” she muttered as they sat side by side in a private office, combing through past legal records.

Damian didn’t look up. “And yours is too cautious.”

She scowled. “Caution keeps people from making mistakes.”

“Caution makes people hesitate,” he countered. “Sometimes you have to take risks.”

She sighed, knowing this conversation would go in circles. “Whatever. Just tell me what you found.”

Damian slid a document toward her. “There’s a pattern. The cases mentioned in the email? They all have one thing in common—each involved a high-profile corporate client who ended up switching firms after the verdict.”

Elena frowned. “Meaning?”

“Meaning someone wants to damage both our reputations. If clients start to believe these accusations, they’ll drop us.”

Elena’s stomach twisted. A scandal like this wouldn’t just ruin their firms—it would destroy everything she had worked for.

She glanced at Damian, who for once wasn’t smirking. His expression was serious, his focus unwavering.

As much as she hated him, they were in this together.

And that terrified her.

---

Late Nights and Unexpected Truths

Two days passed, and they still had no solid leads.

Elena barely slept, pouring over files, making phone calls, and chasing dead ends. Damian worked just as hard, though he somehow managed to look effortlessly put together while doing it.

They spent long nights locked in conference rooms, coffee cups scattered around them, tension thick in the air.

At some point, exhaustion caught up with her. She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her eyes. “This is impossible.”

Damian leaned back too, stretching his arms. “Come on, Sinclair. You giving up already?”

She rolled her eyes. “You wish.”

He smirked. “I do love a challenge.”

She groaned. “Remind me why I haven’t murdered you yet?”

“Because deep down, you’d miss me,” he said smoothly.

She let out a short laugh before catching herself. No. She wasn’t laughing with him. She was exhausted. That was all.

Damian watched her, his smirk softening slightly. “You really don’t know how to stop, do you?”

Elena hesitated. “What?”

“This. The constant fight. You don’t slow down. Ever.”

She tensed. “Neither do you.”