Chapter 1
Cynthia Turner, the top criminal defense lawyer in Hithebig, never imagined she'd be literally crushed under her husband's heel, so he'd force her to defend the person who hurt her own sister.
Alexander Schultz, Cynthia's husband, the prince of Hithebig who controlled everything, pressed his designer shoe down hard on Cynthia's shoulder.
His voice was harsh as he asked, "Cynthia, I'm asking you one more time. How's your consideration coming along on pleading not guilty for Evelyn?"
A week ago, Cynthia's sister, Luella Turner, got into an argument with Evelyn Cole at a bar. That night, Luella disappeared, and the next day, she was found naked and battered in a dumpster, her body covered in bruises.
After she was rushed to the hospital, they learned she'd been assaulted by several men and was barely clinging to life.
Cynthia swore she'd hunt down whoever did this. She pulled every string she could. The truth was that all the evidence, witnesses, and physical proof pointed straight at Evelyn.
But Alexander stopped her at every turn.
Cynthia stared at him, her eyes burning with rage. "Alexander, you really want me to defend Evelyn as not guilty? All the evidence points right at her. Luella will be ashamed of you. She is lying in that hospital bed, and she is my sister."
"I'll handle the evidence," Alexander replied, his tone ice-cold. "As for those stupid men, they'll change their statements.
"They'll admit they acted on their lust and attacked Luella, and Evelyn had nothing to do with it. All you need to do is use your skills to perfectly present that this is the 'truth' in court."
Cynthia looked at this proud, untouchable man before her, and her heart felt like it was being torn apart.
This was the same man who once swore he'd protect her and her family.
But now, for Evelyn, he was forcing her into utter despair.
"Why?" Cynthia screamed, tears finally streaming down her face. "Why does she get off without consequences while Luella has to go through all this?"
A flicker of impatience flashed across Alexander's indifferent face, his tone cold and absolute. "Cynthia, I don't care what you think. I'm telling you. Evelyn did me a favor. She can't be convicted as a criminal. As for Luella..."
He signaled his assistant, Wilson, to open the tablet, and what flashed on the screen was cruel and glaring: Luella lay in the ICU, tubes everywhere, her face lifeless, the monitor's lines barely moving.
Alexander let out a cold laugh. "She's in the ICU right now, getting the best equipment and medicine Schultz Medical Center can offer, completely free of charge."
His voice suddenly turned harsh, the threat naked. "But if you refuse to defend Evelyn, I'll have them pull the plug on Luella's treatment. Right now."
Cynthia's whole body went cold, as if her blood had frozen solid. She knew Alexander well. When he made a threat, he always followed through if she obeyed him. Despair crashed over her like a black tide, drowning her completely.
On one hand, Luella's only one shot at staying alive. On the other hand, Cynthia's fierce determination to avenge her sister.
This choice hurt more than any torture could.
Cynthia stared at the tablet, Luella's heartbeat barely registering, like a fragile thread ready to snap, holding together the last shred of Cynthia's sanity.
Cynthia's tears fell, heavy with hatred as deep as blood.
After a long moment, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her gaze held only a cold resolve born of desperation, ready to risk everything.
"Fine," she rasped. "I'll do it. I'll defend Evelyn as not guilty."
Alexander finally breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to her. "Cynthia, don't hate me. Focus on preparing the case. Leave Luella's treatment to me."
"Don't touch me." Cynthia shoved his hand away, her gaze razor-sharp. "Alexander, remember your promise. If Luella can't make it, mark my words. You and Evelyn will go down with her."
On the day of the trial, Cynthia stood before the court, forced to deliver a powerful defense for the monster who had destroyed Luella.