Chapter 2

"

"Aubrey, you are my life; no matter how high I fly, you are my only weakness. "

She was that kind of person: extremely principled. Once she decided on something, she saw it through to the end. It was true when she was fighting a case. It was true when she was raising me. And it was true even when she sacrificed her own kin for the sake of 'justice. '

"Sacrificed her kin? "

Hearing this, Brenda's eyes widened in disbelief. "You two relied on each other, such a deep bond, and she still sent you to jail? "

"What kind of huge crime did you commit? Murder? Arson? "

"Was it like on TV, where you became some big drug lord? "

None of that. My crime was aggravated assault. By the time I was twenty-two, Mom was an unshakable authority in the legal world. She was no longer content with commercial victories. She began to dedicate more of her energy to what she called "social justice. "

She didn't care for money, nor power. Instead, she pursued fame with an almost obsessive fervor. Whether they were wealthy elites or high-ranking officials, if they broke the law, Mom took them all on, sending them straight to prison. What she was most proud of was her reputation for never showing favoritism or bending the law. "That impartiality is what put me at the top of my profession. "

"The law is equal for everyone, and even my own family must face consequences if they break it. "

"There's no room for compromise in that process. "

She said she loved the law. And she loved the thrill of holding people's fates in her hands even more. In the realm of the courtroom, she was the goddess who controlled everything. Guilty or innocent, life or death - it was all up to her. I didn't understand Mom's grand philosophies. Then, one day, Liam Miller, a student Mom was sponsoring, suddenly looked up. "You're right, I admire that spirit too. "

"Justice knows no bias, it only demands a clear conscience. "

"Look how well I did in the mock trial today; it's all thanks to your excellent guidance. "

On a stifling summer day, buzzing with unseen activity, my fate began to change. 3. After that, Mom often brought Liam home. She tutored him, held mock debates. The villa we lived in practically became Liam's second home. Their relationship grew closer, almost like mother and son. Until one day, Mom suddenly suggested adopting him, asking him to move in with us. "His family is poor, and his dorm at school is terrible. Let him stay here. "

Liam nervously rubbed his cheap pen. A forced, ingratiating grin spread across his face. "I'll be very quiet. "

"My grades are good, I'll definitely repay Ms. Hayes for her kindness. "

"Just give me a chance, and I'll dedicate my life to repaying your kindness! "

Looking at those seemingly sincere eyes, I suddenly remembered. Years ago, Mom huddled under a bridge with me, looking helpless and desperate. Once again, my heart softened. For a long time, I treated Liam like a younger brother. I cooked for him, bought him books. I taught him the ropes of city living. He told me I was the kindest sister in the world. He said that when he became a successful lawyer, he would protect me forever. And he didn't disappoint Mom's expectations. He successfully scored high on the bar exam. And on the celebratory, stormy night that followed, he violated me. Mom was away on a business trip that day, so I bought some food and drinks to celebrate with Liam. I drank until midnight, then collapsed, dizzy, on the sofa. When I woke up, I saw Liam's twisted face above mine. My body was tearing apart with excruciating pain. In that moment, I completely broke down. I struggled desperately, grabbing the ashtray from the table and smashing it against his head. I hurled all the food and drinks from the table, shattering everything. Liam clutched his bleeding forehead, watching my resistance with cold eyes. "Aubrey, stop pretending. Who are you trying to seduce, dressed like that? "

Between me and my innocence, he chose to destroy me without hesitation. Unable to bear any of it, I called the police and cried to Mom on the phone. She rushed back that night, frowning at my disheveled state. "Aubrey, don't make a scene. This getting out would be bad for your reputation. "

Liam also fell to his knees before Mom. "I know I wronged Aubrey, but I was drunk. "

"She was the one who started touching me, and I just lost control. "

"You're the best lawyer! "

"I have a bright future ahead of me. It can't be ruined over something so trivial. Just help me this one time, and I'll be like your own son! "

I was only in my early twenties then. An age when I still believed in justice, and believed my mother would ensure I got it. I filed a lawsuit with the court. I wanted to send that monster in human skin to prison. But reality quickly taught me a harsh lesson. Mom, to uphold her image of impartiality, chose to testify as a witness for Liam, against me. In court, Mom stood in the witness box, dressed in her lawyer's robe, her face expressionless. "This is my daughter. She generally has a very chaotic private life. "

"I hope the jury will look at the facts objectively. "

"Liam is an honest, decent young man. That night, to my knowledge, Aubrey Hayes was the one who invited him to drink. "

"I don't deny Liam was in the wrong, but in my eyes, this was a tragedy caused by seduction. Aubrey Hayes not only failed to reflect on her actions, but she also severely injured Liam.