The courtroom buzzed with quiet energy as the judge announced the final decision. Estelle held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been so focused, so immersed in every step of the process that it was hard to believe it was over. And they had won.
Scarlett & Associates had secured a victory, and Estelle, for the first time in her life, felt the rush of accomplishment in a real courtroom setting. The client was ecstatic, shaking hands and expressing gratitude to Miss Scarlett, but all Estelle could feel was the overwhelming pride swelling inside her. Her first case. She had been part of it.
As the judge left and the courtroom began to clear, Miss Scarlett turned to Estelle with a wide smile, her blue eyes gleaming with approval.
“Congratulations, Miss Brooks,” Scarlett said, pulling Estelle into a warm hug. “You handled yourself with poise and professionalism. Your first case, and already a win under your belt. I’m proud of you.”
Estelle’s heart soared at the compliment. “Thank you, Miss Scarlett,” she replied, still in disbelief at how well the day had gone. “I couldn’t have done it without your guidance.”
Scarlett stepped back, still smiling. “I think you’re being modest, Estelle. You were fantastic. We need to celebrate, don’t you think?”
Estelle’s smile grew wider. The idea of celebrating sounded perfect. After all the stress and tension of the past few weeks, this victory felt like a well-earned release. “I’d love that.”
But just as Scarlett was about to lead her out of the courtroom, a figure stepped in front of them, blocking their path. Estelle’s stomach dropped.
Celeste Thorne.
The moment Estelle saw her professor standing there, her heart sank. The sharp, steely gaze in Celeste’s eyes sent a shiver down her spine. Pierce stood a few steps behind her, looking uncertain but silent. Celeste, however, was anything but uncertain. Her eyes locked onto Estelle’s with an intensity that felt both icy and furious.
“Congratulations, Miss Brooks,” Celeste said, her voice smooth but dripping with something darker, something that wasn’t at all celebratory. “Quite an achievement for your first case.”
Estelle swallowed hard, knowing there was more to come. The way Celeste spoke—the edge to her words—was a clear sign that this wasn’t a simple exchange of congratulations.
Before Estelle could respond, Celeste added, “Before you leave to celebrate, I’d like to have a word with you. If you don’t mind.”
Estelle’s stomach twisted. This was not a request, but a demand. There was no room for refusal in the way Celeste said it. Her gaze flicked briefly to Miss Scarlett, who was watching Celeste with a polite but firm expression.
“Of course,” Estelle said quietly, sensing that avoiding this conversation would only make things worse.
Scarlett gave her a reassuring smile, though there was a flicker of something like concern in her eyes. “I’ll wait for you outside, Estelle. Don’t take too long.”
With that, Miss Scarlett walked out of the courtroom, leaving Estelle alone with Celeste.
Once Scarlett was out of earshot, Celeste stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You didn’t think to tell me about this little arrangement you’ve made with Scarlett?”
Estelle’s throat tightened. She had known this conversation was coming, but now that it was happening, it was even more intense than she had imagined. “I didn’t think it was necessary,” she said, her voice steady, though her heart was pounding. “It’s my career, Professor Thorne. I made the decision that was best for me.”
Celeste’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she took another step forward, closing the distance between them. Her voice lowered, becoming sharper, more dangerous. “Don’t think for a second that I don’t see what’s happening here, Estelle. Scarlett isn’t interested in mentoring you out of the kindness of her heart. She’s using you. And you’re letting her.”
Estelle’s breath caught in her throat. She knew Celeste’s jealousy had been brewing, but hearing it so plainly, so venomously, made her pulse quicken. “That’s not true,” she shot back. “I’m working with her because she believes in me. You didn’t choose me for your firm, so I had to move forward.”
Celeste’s jaw clenched, her eyes darkening with something close to fury. “This isn’t about your potential, Estelle. This is about power. Scarlett wants you close because it hurts me.”
Estelle stared at her, taken aback by the intensity of Celeste’s words. “You can’t seriously think this is all about you,” she whispered, her voice trembling with frustration. “I’m not some pawn in a game between you and Scarlett. I’m doing this for myself.”
Celeste’s eyes flashed with anger. “Is that what you believe? Because Scarlett has a reputation for getting what she wants. And right now, it seems you’re too blinded by your ambition to see what she’s really doing.”
Estelle felt a surge of anger rise in her chest. “You didn’t give me a chance, Celeste. You picked Pierce. You pushed me away.”
For a moment, Celeste said nothing, her sharp gaze never leaving Estelle’s face. Then, she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “I pushed you away because I can’t afford to lose control with you. But don’t mistake my distance for indifference, Estelle.”
Estelle’s heart pounded in her chest, her breath catching at the sudden proximity, at the rawness in Celeste’s voice. The tension between them crackled, thick and suffocating, and for a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them.
“You made your choice, Estelle,” Celeste said, her voice low and filled with quiet fury. “But don’t think for a second that Scarlett will keep you around once she’s done using you. She may congratulate you today, but I know her. She sees you as nothing more than a tool.”
Estelle’s chest tightened, anger and frustration warring with the intense pull she still felt toward Celeste. “And what about you?” she whispered. “How do you see me?”
Celeste’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, Estelle thought she saw something vulnerable flash behind the anger. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by that familiar cold control.
“I see someone who doesn’t realize how dangerous it is to play with people like Scarlett,” Celeste said, her voice hard. “I see someone who’s too important to let fall into the wrong hands.”
Estelle’s breath hitched, the weight of Celeste’s words hanging heavy between them. The unspoken tension, the jealousy, the anger—it all collided in that moment, leaving her reeling.
Before Estelle could respond, Celeste stepped back, her gaze still sharp but her tone shifting into something colder. “Enjoy your victory, Miss Brooks. But remember this—you’re not as untouchable as you think.”
With that, Celeste turned and walked away, leaving Estelle standing there, her heart racing and her mind spinning from the intensity of the confrontation.
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