The next morning, Estelle walked into Scarlett & Associates feeling off-kilter. The events of last night were still playing on a loop in her mind—the kiss, the heated argument, and the phone call. Celeste’s voice had been low, tense, and the way she’d brushed Estelle off afterward left her with more questions than answers.
But Estelle tried to shake it off. She had work to focus on, and being at Scarlett’s firm had been a dream come true. This was her chance to prove herself. Still, something gnawed at her, the memory of Celeste’s intensity lingering, as though it was a warning she hadn’t yet understood.
As she made her way to her desk, Estelle noticed that the atmosphere at the firm felt different today. People seemed quieter, more tense, and as she passed a few coworkers, she caught them exchanging brief glances before quickly looking away. A knot formed in her stomach. Something was off.
Just as she sat down and opened her laptop, Miss Scarlett appeared in the doorway of her office, her expression unreadable, her usual warmth absent. Estelle straightened in her chair, sensing that something was wrong.
“Estelle,” Scarlett said, her voice steady but void of emotion, “we need to talk.”
Estelle’s heart dropped. The formality of her tone, the coldness in her usually calm and encouraging mentor—it sent a chill down her spine. She stood up slowly, her stomach twisting as Scarlett motioned for her to follow her into the office.
Once inside, Scarlett closed the door behind them and turned to face Estelle, her face giving nothing away. The silence stretched between them, heavy and uncomfortable, before Scarlett finally spoke.
“I’m sorry, Estelle,” Scarlett began, her voice calm but firm, “but I have to let you go.”
The words hit Estelle like a punch to the gut. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What?” she managed to say, her voice barely a whisper. “Why? Did I do something wrong?”
Scarlett shook her head, her expression softening just a little, but her tone remained steady. “No, you didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, you’ve been an excellent intern. You’ve shown great potential, and I truly believe you’ll go on to do amazing things in the legal field.”
“Then why?” Estelle’s voice cracked as confusion and panic surged inside her. “Why are you firing me?”
Scarlett sighed, looking away for a moment as though choosing her words carefully. “It’s not you, I promise. This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s something that needs to happen.”
Estelle blinked, trying to make sense of the situation. Nothing made sense. Scarlett had been so supportive, so encouraging, and now, out of nowhere, she was letting her go? “What are you saying?” Estelle asked, her voice shaking. “What needs to happen?”
“I can’t go into details,” Scarlett said quietly, her eyes meeting Estelle’s. “But certain… pressures have been applied, and I have no choice but to let you go. I’m truly sorry, Estelle. You’ve been a valuable member of this firm.”
The knot in Estelle’s stomach tightened painfully. “Pressures?” she echoed, her mind racing. “From who?”
Scarlett didn’t answer immediately, her eyes briefly flickering with something—regret? Guilt? It was hard to tell. “I can’t say more than that. Just know this isn’t a reflection of your abilities. When you graduate, you’re welcome to reapply, and I would gladly take you on as an associate. But for now, this is the way it has to be.”
Estelle’s blood ran cold, her mind spinning with possibilities. There was only one person she could think of who had the power and the motivation to push Scarlett into this decision. Only one person who had a vested interest in keeping her under control.
Celeste.
The phone call. The urgent tone. The way Celeste had looked at her after, as if she was holding onto a secret.
“Wait,” Estelle said, her voice rising with disbelief. “Did Celeste Thorne have anything to do with this?”
Scarlett’s face remained impassive, but the slight flicker of surprise in her eyes gave her away. Estelle’s heart sank further. She couldn’t believe it, and yet it made perfect sense. Celeste, with her possessiveness and jealousy, her need to control everything in her world—she must have pulled strings to get her fired. It was the only explanation.
Scarlett remained silent, but Estelle saw enough in her eyes to know she was right. Fury rose up in her chest, mixed with betrayal and hurt. Celeste had gone too far. It was one thing to play mind games, but to interfere with her career like this?
Estelle’s hands trembled as she stood up, feeling a storm of emotions boiling inside her. “This is because of her, isn’t it?” she demanded. “She called you, didn’t she?”
Scarlett looked at Estelle for a long moment, her expression softening with what seemed like sympathy. “Estelle, I can’t discuss the details.”
But that was all the confirmation Estelle needed.
The betrayal hit her like a tidal wave. She had known Celeste was possessive, that their relationship was fraught with unspoken tension, but she had never imagined Celeste would go this far.
Estelle’s fists clenched at her sides, her heart pounding with rage. “I swear,” she muttered through gritted teeth, “if this is her doing…”
Scarlett stood and crossed the room, gently placing a hand on Estelle’s shoulder. “I’m truly sorry, Estelle. You’re a brilliant student. Don’t let this setback stop you from becoming the lawyer I know you can be.”
But Estelle could barely hear her. Her mind was already racing with what she was going to do next. Celeste had crossed a line, and Estelle wasn’t going to let her get away with it.
She needed to confront her.
Without another word, Estelle turned on her heel and stormed out of the office, her heart pounding with a mix of fury and betrayal.
This isn’t over, she thought, her mind already focused on her next move.
Comment