Friday had arrived, and as Estelle stood outside the sleek glass doors of Scarlett & Associates, her heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nerves. The firm’s building was a modern, imposing structure in the heart of the city, with sharp lines and a polished exterior that screamed prestige. The golden letters above the door gleamed in the early morning light, and Estelle took a deep breath before stepping inside.
Today was the day she would meet Miss Scarlett—the blonde, formidable woman who had built her law firm from the ground up, becoming one of the top five lawyers in the city. Though not as high-profile as Celeste Thorne’s firm, Scarlett & Associates had a reputation for taking on complex, high-stakes cases, and Estelle knew this was a rare and valuable opportunity.
Inside the lobby, the atmosphere was quiet but professional. The space was all clean lines, marble floors, and expensive-looking art on the walls. The air smelled faintly of coffee and fresh paper, and the muted sounds of phones ringing and soft conversation filled the background.
Estelle approached the receptionist, a well-dressed woman who looked up with a polite smile. “Good morning. How can I help you?”
“Hi, I’m Estelle Brooks,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “I have a meeting with Miss Scarlett.”
The receptionist’s smile widened. “Ah, yes. Miss Brooks. Miss Scarlett is expecting you. Please take a seat, and she’ll be with you shortly.”
Estelle nodded, thanking the receptionist before sitting down in one of the plush chairs in the waiting area. She tried to calm her racing thoughts as she stared out the large window overlooking the city, but it was hard not to feel overwhelmed. This was it—her first real day at a prestigious law firm. She had worked so hard to get here, and now that she was on the verge of starting, the weight of it all seemed to settle on her shoulders.
I can do this, she told herself, taking a deep breath. I’ve earned this.
After a few minutes, the door to the back offices opened, and Estelle looked up just in time to see Miss Scarlett step into the lobby.
The first thing Estelle noticed was how effortlessly elegant Miss Scarlett looked. Tall and blonde, with sharp, commanding features, she wore a tailored navy suit that fit her perfectly, her heels clicking confidently across the floor as she approached. There was a quiet authority in her stride, and the moment she entered the room, Estelle could feel the shift in energy.
Miss Scarlett’s blue eyes landed on Estelle, and she gave a warm, but measured smile as she extended her hand. “Miss Brooks. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”
Estelle stood quickly, shaking her hand, trying to project the same confidence. “It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Scarlett. Thank you for this opportunity.”
Miss Scarlett’s handshake was firm, and she gestured toward the hallway leading to the offices. “Come with me. Let’s sit down and talk.”
Estelle followed her down the hall, her heart still pounding but her nerves settling slightly. Miss Scarlett led her into a spacious office that was all glass and light, with a large desk in the center and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of the city. The office was less formal than she had expected, with modern art on the walls and comfortable-looking chairs across from the desk.
“Please, sit,” Miss Scarlett said, motioning toward the chairs as she took her own seat behind the desk. Estelle sat down, smoothing her skirt nervously as she tried to gauge Miss Scarlett’s mood. The woman’s cool, professional demeanor made it hard to read her, but there was no mistaking the sharp intelligence behind those blue eyes.
Miss Scarlett folded her hands on the desk, studying Estelle for a moment before speaking. “I’ve reviewed your application and the case studies you submitted. Your work is impressive. You have a keen mind for legal analysis, and I appreciate your attention to detail.”
Estelle felt a surge of pride, but she kept her expression neutral. “Thank you. I’ve always admired the work your firm does, and I’m excited to be part of it.”
Miss Scarlett nodded, though there was a flicker of something more in her gaze—curiosity, perhaps. “I understand you were previously vying for an internship with Professor Celeste Thorne’s firm.”
Estelle’s stomach flipped at the mention of Celeste’s name, but she nodded. “Yes, I was, but I decided to explore other opportunities.”
Miss Scarlett’s gaze sharpened, and she leaned back slightly in her chair, her eyes assessing. “And what made you choose this opportunity over Thorne’s?”
Estelle hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing her words. “I’ve always admired Professor Thorne’s firm, but I’ve come to realize that your firm aligns more with the type of cases I want to work on. The complexity of your litigation work, and your firm’s reputation for handling difficult, high-stakes cases—it’s exactly the environment I want to grow in.”
Miss Scarlett’s lips curved into a small smile, clearly pleased with the answer. “A wise choice. Thorne’s firm is prestigious, yes, but we pride ourselves on being fearless in the courtroom. We’re not afraid to take risks, and I think you’ll find that challenging cases are where you’ll thrive.”
Estelle felt a weight lift off her shoulders as Miss Scarlett continued, “You’ll be working directly under me for some of our upcoming cases, assisting with research, preparing briefs, and sitting in on client meetings. It’ll be demanding, but I expect you’re up to the challenge.”
Estelle nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “I’m ready for it.”
Miss Scarlett’s smile widened slightly, a look of approval in her eyes. “Good. I like that confidence. It’ll serve you well here.”
She stood, and Estelle quickly followed suit. “We’ll start you off with some introductory case work this afternoon, and I’ll assign one of the senior associates to help you get settled in. Welcome to Scarlett & Associates, Miss Brooks.”
Estelle shook Miss Scarlett’s hand once more, feeling the full weight of the moment. This was her fresh start, a new chapter, away from the complications with Celeste.
“Thank you again,” Estelle said, her voice steady with excitement. “I won’t let you down.”
Miss Scarlett gave her one last nod before gesturing to the door. “We’ll see. Now, let’s get you started.”
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